How much HTML should you know to start as a web developer? (2024)

According to the Mozilla Developer Network (MDN), there are 142 HTML tags in existence. However, it's important to note that only 115 of these tags are currently functional, while the remaining 27 are considered deprecated or obsolete. Each HTML tag serves a distinct purpose within the realm of semantic web design, contributing to the structure of HTML documents intended for web browser rendering.

It is best to start by learning the most commonly used HTML tags and elements. Once you have a good understanding of these, you can then continue learning about the less common tags and features.

Basic HTML Structure: Understand the basic structure of an HTML document, including the

elements.

HTML Elements: Familiarize yourself with common HTML elements such as

Learn how to use attributes to provide additional information to HTML elements. For example, the src attribute for images and the href attribute for links.

Semantic HTML: Understand the importance of semantic HTML elements like

for structuring content in a meaningful way.

Learn how to create forms, add form elements (e.g., text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes), and handle form submissions.

HTML5 Features: Familiarize yourself with HTML5 features such as

elements.

Understand the basics of HTML validation and how to use HTML validators to ensure your code is error-free.

Best Practices: Follow best practices for clean and maintainable HTML code, including proper indentation, commenting, and code organization.

Learn about web accessibility principles and how to create accessible HTML content.

Understand how to create responsive web pages that adapt to different screen sizes and devices using HTML and CSS.

Develop skills in debugging HTML code to identify and fix issues.

While this list provides a foundation, web development often involves more than just HTML. You'll likely need to learn other technologies like CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity. Front-end developers may also need to delve into CSS frameworks (e.g., Bootstrap, TailwindCSS) and JavaScript libraries or frameworks (e.g., React, Vue.js), while back-end developers will work with server-side technologies (e.g., Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails).

In summary, a solid grasp of HTML is essential for a web developer, but your knowledge and skill set will likely expand as you gain experience and specialize in various areas of web development.