HTML <big> Tag
What is the <big> Tag?
The <big> tag is one of those elements that came from the good old days of HTML, not many these days. While it is not completely archaic, the advance of most present-day options for styling (like CSS) has led to its slowly declining favor for more modern forms of styling. However, it is good to know what it used to do, especially if you’re dealing with older web pages or just want to know more about the history of HTML.
Put basically, the <big> tag, years ago, was used to render text in slightly larger font than the text surrounding it. This would give certain content a decent highlight, and it’s just like making something just a little bigger than the rest of the text—a quick way of emphasizing something by increasing the font size, without diving into the process of custom CSS.
How Does the <big> Tag Work?
In a word, it takes the main body of text you are displaying inside it, and the browser, in turn, will render it, making it a bit larger than the rest of the content around it.
The increase in size is relative to the surrounding text, meaning that it doesn’t make a very noticeable or dramatic jump. The effect is subtle, just enough to make the text a little more visible without overwhelming the rest of the content. This is perfect for situations when you want to draw attention to a key word, number, or phrase, but without completely altering the design of your page.
For instance, if you have a sentence and you want a specific word or number to stand out a little more, you could use the <big> tag.
Why Would You Use the <big> Tag?
Now you might think: “What would I use a <big> tag for at this moment when I could just apply a CSS rule to make a size change?” That’s a fair question! And while it’s true that CSS is the more modern and flexible tool for adjusting text size, the <big> tag can still be useful in certain situations.
Here are a few reasons why you might use it:
- Quick styling: If you just need to make a small adjustment to your text and don’t want to deal with custom CSS, the
<big>tag is an easy solution. It’s a fast, simple way to highlight a small portion of text by making it a bit bigger without diving into stylesheets or classes. - Minimalistic approach: If you’re working with simple HTML or a quick prototype and don’t want to overcomplicate things, using the
<big>tag can keep your code clean and straightforward. - Legacy content: If you’re dealing with older HTML code, you might still find the
<big>tag in use. Understanding how it works can help you work with or update legacy content effectively. - Short-term tweaks: For small, specific tweaks (like emphasizing a price or number in an old HTML document), the
<big>tag might be just what you need without resorting to extra CSS.
What to Keep in Mind About the <big> Tag?
While the <big> tag is simple and easy to use, it’s important to know its limitations and the reasons it’s not widely used today:
- Limited control: The
<big>tag only offers a slightly larger text size compared to the surrounding content. If you need precise control over font sizes or more complex styling, CSS is definitely the better approach. - Not as flexible as CSS: CSS allows you to specify exact font sizes, apply responsive designs, and style text in many ways that the
<big>tag can’t. The<big>tag is limited to a very basic size change. - Obsolete in HTML5: The
<big>tag is considered obsolete in HTML5. Modern browsers still support it for backward compatibility, but developers no longer recommend its use in new web development. Instead, they encourage you to use CSS for font styling.
An Example of the <big> Tag in Action
Let’s look at a simple example where the <big> tag might still be useful:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Big Tag Example</title>
</head>
<body>
<p>The total price is <big>$49.99</big>.</p>
<p><big>Special Offer!</big> Buy one, get one free!</p>
</body>
</html>
In this example:
- The price and the special offer text are wrapped in the
<big>tag. - Both pieces of text will appear slightly larger than the rest of the text, which can draw the user’s eye to these important details.
As you can see, the <big> tag is a quick and easy way to emphasize text in a subtle way.
Why Shouldn’t You Use the <big> Tag All the Time?
Although it might seem like a good shortcut, there are some reasons you might want to avoid using the <big> tag too frequently:
- Overuse can clutter your HTML: If you rely too much on the
<big>tag, your HTML might end up looking cluttered and harder to maintain. It’s better to reserve it for specific, minor cases where you just need a subtle effect. - CSS gives you more control: With CSS, you can set exact pixel sizes (
px), relative units (em,rem), and even control how text scales on different screen sizes. This level of customization is not possible with the<big>tag. - Poor accessibility: Relying on the
<big>tag can make your text harder to scale and adjust for people with visual impairments. CSS offers more robust methods for improving text accessibility, such as usingremunits or media queries.
When Should You Use the <big> Tag?
So, when might you still use the <big> tag today? Here are a few situations where it could be helpful:
- Quick and temporary adjustments: If you just need to highlight a small portion of text quickly and don’t want to add extra CSS, the
<big>tag is a quick solution. - Working with legacy websites: If you’re maintaining or updating an older website that already uses the
<big>tag, it’s helpful to know how it works so you can make adjustments or understand the design intent. - Learning HTML: If you’re new to HTML and learning about basic tags, the
<big>tag can help you understand how HTML handles simple styling changes without needing to dive into more complex CSS.
In Conclusion
The <big> tag is a simple way to make text slightly larger than the surrounding content. While HTML5 considers it obsolete and it doesn’t offer the level of control that CSS does, developers can still use it for small, quick adjustments or when working with legacy content.However, for modern web development, CSS should be your go-to solution for styling text, as it provides more control and flexibility.