HTML <br> Tag

What is a <br> Tag?

The <br> tag is one of those HTML elements that one does not really concern oneself about that much, but is rather surprisingly helpful whenever it is rightly needed. Simple and pretty easy, while it does not look like much, it performs a very good role in breaking lines in your content.

In other words, what the <br> tag does is bring a line-break within an element of text. It is equivalent to the “Enter” key on a keyboard when you are typing a paragraph—especially when you do not want to start a whole new paragraph. When you want to begin a new line, without that inviting option of extra space which a paragraph would give you, the <br> tag comes to your aid.

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How Does the <br> Tag Work?

So, how does it work exactly? Well, the <br> tag simply tells the browser: “Hey, stop here and start a new line.” It doesn’t need a closing tag because it’s a self-closing element. Wherever you place the <br> tag in your text, the content after it will appear on a new line.

For example, imagine you’re writing an address. You could use <br> to make sure each part of the address appears on a new line:

<p>John Doe<br>123 Elm Street<br>Springfield, IL 62701</p>

And the result would look like this:

Copy codeJohn Doe
123 Elm Street
Springfield, IL 62701

Just like that, each part of the address is placed neatly on a new line.

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When Would You Use the <br> Tag?

Now you might be thinking: “When should I actually use this tag?” Well, the <br> tag is great when you want to break lines within text without starting a new paragraph or adding extra space between the lines.

For example, it’s perfect for:

1. Addresses: Addresses often require each line to be separate but don’t need the space that a new paragraph would bring.
2. Poetry or Lyrics: If you’re displaying poems or song lyrics, where each line is important and should be kept separate.
3. Forms or Instructions: In some forms or instruction sets, you might want to break up text without creating too much space.

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Inside the <br> Tag

What you need to know about the <br> tag is that it is very straightforward. You place it where you want the line to break, and it doesn’t come with any extra formatting—just a new line.

For instance, if you’re writing a song lyric and want each line to be broken, you would use it like this:

htmlCopy code<p>Roses are red,<br>Violets are blue,<br>I love HTML,<br>And so do you.</p>

This will display as:

cssCopy codeRoses are red,
Violets are blue,
I love HTML,
And so do you.

Notice how each line is neatly divided, but there’s no extra space that a paragraph would create.

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How to Use the <br> Tag Effectively?

Though the <br> tag is simple and effective, it’s important to use it appropriately. It’s not meant for controlling layout or adding large amounts of spacing between sections. It’s a tool for breaking lines without introducing extra structure, so you won’t want to overuse it.

For example, if you need more complex layouts with spacing between elements, using <div>, <p>, or CSS for layout will be a better choice. But when you just need a quick line break without fuss, the <br> tag is your go-to.

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In Conclusion

The <br> tag may be small and unassuming, but it’s a handy tool when you need to break text into new lines without extra space. It’s perfect for things like addresses, poetry, and short instructions. So, the next time you need a quick line break, remember that the <br> tag is there to help you keep things neat and tidy. Just be sure to use it when it’s right for the job!