The img element (<img>) embeds an image in a document.
Overview TableThe img element (<img>) embeds an image in a document, identified by the src attribute. The value of the alt attribute provides equivalent content for those who cannot process images or who have image loading disabled. Any image can be used (png, jpeg, SVG, pdf, EXR, ...), provided the user-agent's ability to process the format.
The <img> element can be nested in an <a> element to create an image that links to another page or section.
Alternatives to the <img> element include setting the background-image property of an element.
AttributesAn img is always in one of the following states:
When an a element that creates a hyperlink, or a button element, has no textual content but contains one or more images, the alt attributes must contain text that together convey the purpose of the link or button.
A phrase or paragraph with an alternative graphical representationSometimes something can be more clearly stated in graphical form, for example as a flowchart, a diagram, a graph, or a simple map showing directions. In such cases, an image can be given using the img element, but the lesser textual version must still be given, so that users who are unable to view the image (e.g. because they have a very slow connection, or because they are using a text-only browser, or because they are listening to the page being read out by a hands-free automobile voice Web browser, or simply because they are blind) are still able to understand the message being conveyed.
A short phrase or label with an alternative graphical representationA document can contain information in iconic form. The icon is intended to help users of visual browsers to recognize features at a glance.
In some cases, the icon is supplemental to a text label conveying the same meaning. In those cases, the alt attribute must be present but must be empty.
Text that has been rendered to a graphic for typographical effectSometimes, an image just consists of text, and the purpose of the image is not to highlight the actual typographic effects used to render the text, but just to convey the text itself.
In such cases, the alt attribute must be present but must consist of the same text as written in the image itself.
<h1><img src="earthdayheading.png" alt="Earth Day"/></h1>A graphical representation of some of the surrounding text
A document can contain information in iconic form. The icon is intended to help users of visual browsers to recognize features at a glance.
In some cases, the icon is supplemental to a text label conveying the same meaning. In those cases, the alt attribute must be present but must be empty.
A purely decorative image that doesn't add any informationIn general, if an image is decorative but isn't especially page-specific, for example an image that forms part of a site-wide design scheme, the image should be specified in the site's CSS, not in the markup of the document.
However, a decorative image that isn't discussed by the surrounding text but still has some relevance can be included in a page using the img element. Such images are decorative, but still form part of the content. In these cases, the alt attribute must be present but its value must be the empty string.
A group of images that form a single larger picture with no linksWhen a picture has been sliced into smaller image files that are then displayed together to form the complete picture again, one of the images must have its alt attribute set as per the relevant rules that would be appropriate for the picture as a whole, and then all the remaining images must have their alt attribute set to the empty string.
<h1><img src="logo1.png" alt="W3C"><img src="logo2.png" alt=""/></h1>A group of images that form a single larger picture with links
Generally, image maps should be used instead of slicing an image for links.
However, if an image is indeed sliced and any of the components of the sliced picture are the sole contents of links, then one image per link must have alternative text in its alt attribute representing the purpose of the link.
<p> <a href="?go=left" ><img src="fsm-left.png" alt="Left side. "></a> <img src="fsm-middle.png" alt=""/> <a href="?go=right"><img src="fsm-right.png" alt="Right side."></a> </p>A key part of the content
In some cases, the image is a critical part of the content. This could be the case, for instance, on a page that is part of a photo gallery. The image is the whole point of the page containing it.
How to provide alternative text for an image that is a key part of the content depends on the image's provenance.
<img src="sales.gif" title="Sales graph" alt="From 1998 to 2005, sales increased by the following percentages with each year: 624%, 75%, 138%, 40%, 35%, 9%, 21%"/>
<figure> <img src="/commons/a/a7/Rorschach1.jpg" alt="A shape with left-right symmetry with indistinct edges, with a small gap in the center, two larger gaps offset slightly from the center, with two similar gaps under them. The outline is wider in the top half than the bottom half, with the sides extending upwards higher than the center, and the center extending below the sides."> <figcaption>A black outline of the first of the ten cards in the Rorschach inkblot test.</figcaption> </figure>
Generally authors should avoid using img elements for purposes other than showing images.
If an img element is being used for purposes other than showing an image, e.g. as part of a service to count page views, then the alt attribute must be the empty string.
In such cases, the width and height attributes should both be set to zero.
An image in an e-mail or private document intended for a specific person who is known to be able to view imagesWhen an image is included in a private communication (such as an HTML e-mail) aimed at a specific person who is known to be able to view images, the alt attribute may be omitted. However, even in such cases it is strongly recommended that alternative text be included (as appropriate according to the kind of image involved, as described in the above entries), so that the e-mail is still usable should the user use a mail client that does not support images, or should the document be forwarded on to other users whose abilities might not include easily seeing images.
HistoryThe img tag was proposed and implemented around 1993: [1]
ExamplesThe following example shows how to use the img element to embed an image on a page with an alt attribute to specify text to display if the image isn't able to be displayed.
<p> You are standing in an open field west of a house. <img src="house.jpeg" alt="The house is white, with a boarded front door."/> There is a small mailbox here. </p>
The following example shows how to use the srcset and sizes attributes to create responsive images. The browser will select the best image depending on viewport width.
<img sizes="100vw, (min-width:600px) 50vw" srcset="small.jpg 300w, medium.jpg 500w, large.jpg 700w" alt="The house is white, with a boarded front door."/>
Here a user is asked to pick his preferred color from a list of three. Each color is given by an image, but for users who have configured their user agent not to display images, the color names are used instead:
<h1>Pick your color</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="green.html"><img src="green.jpeg" alt="Green"/></a></li>
<li><a href="blue.html"><img src="blue.jpeg" alt="Blue"/></a></li>
<li><a href="red.html"><img src="red.jpeg" alt="Red"/></a></li>
</ul>
In the following example we have a flowchart in image form, with text in the alt attribute rephrasing the flowchart in prose form. (The alt-text is a replacement for the image, not a description of the image.)
Related specifications<p>In the common case, the data handled by the tokenization stage
comes from the network, but it can also come from script.</p>
<p><img src="images/parsing-model-overview.png" alt="The network
passes data to the Tokenizer stage, which passes data to the Tree
Construction stage. From there, data goes to both the DOM and to
Script Execution. Script Execution is linked to the DOM, and, using
document.write(), passes data to the Tokenizer."/></p>
Microsoft Developer Network: [Windows Internet Explorer API reference Article]
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