Are Icons the Right Use for the Tag in Modern Web Development?
The use of the tag for icons has been a topic of discussion among web developers. While the current HTML 5.1 does not label a snippet of markup as 'incorrect,' there are valid reasons why the tag is generally not recommended for icons. This article explores the reasons behind this practice and provides alternative recommendations for developing accessible and semantic icons on the web.
Understanding Semantic HTML
The tag is traditionally used for italic text, which adds a stylistic and typographical emphasis to the text but does not convey any meaningful information about its content. When used for icons, the tag can lead to confusion and poor accessibility.
The Tag and Its Semantics
The tag is considered a semantic element, meaning it provides context about the content it wraps. Its semantic meaning is 'idiomatic text,' which indicates that the text is in a different voice or mood or signals a thought or technical term. However, this traditional meaning conflicts with the use of for icons. Since an empty tag used solely for displaying icons does not contain any meaningful content, it is considered malformed according to HTML standards.
Accessibility Considerations
A key aspect of modern web development is accessibility. Screen readers, which are essential tools for users with visual impairments, interpret the tag as italic text. This can lead to a lack of context for users relying on these tools. As a result, using or
Alternatives to Using the Tag for Icons
Web developers often use icon fonts like Font Awesome or SVGs for more effective styling and manipulation. These methods typically involve using or elements, which can be styled and manipulated more effectively while maintaining semantic clarity. Here are some recommended practices for adding icons to your web content:
Using for Inline Icons
If you want to include icons inline without implying any semantic meaning, you should use the tag. This ensures that the content remains semantically clear and accessible. For example:
Adding ARIA Attributes for Decorative Icons
For icons that are purely decorative and do not convey meaningful information, it is best practice to add the aria-hidden"true" attribute. This tells screen readers to ignore the icon, ensuring that it does not distract from the main content. Here's an example:
Using SVG for Scalable Vector Icons
IDiview SVGs for scalable vector icons, which are more flexible and accessible. They can be styled using CSS and manipulated dynamically while providing clear semantic meaning. Here is an example using SVG:
Example: Inline Icon With Semantic Clarity
Here’s an example of using a with an icon class:
#160;#160;Heart Rate
This approach maintains semantic clarity while ensuring better accessibility. The text 'Heart Rate' provides context for the icon, making the content more accessible to all users, including those using screen readers.
Conclusion
While the tag is not inherently incorrect in HTML 5.1, its use for icons does not adhere to semantic and accessibility best practices. By understanding the limitations of the tag and adopting more appropriate alternatives such as ,