Table of contents

HTML <nav> Tag: Definition, Syntax, and Examples

What is HTML <nav> Tag?

The HTML nav tag is used to define a navigation section on a webpage. It contains a group of links that help users move between different pages or parts of the same website. Navigation menus, header menus, sidebar menus, and footer menus usually use the nav tag.

This tag is important for both user experience and SEO because search engines use navigation structure to understand page hierarchy. The nav tag makes websites more accessible and well-organized. It is always used inside the body section of an HTML document.

Syntax of the HTML <nav> Tag

plaintext
<nav>
  <a href="URL">Link Text</a>
  <a href="URL">Link Text</a>
</nav>

The nav tag can contain anchor tags or a list of links grouped for website navigation.

Examples of HTML <nav> Tag

Example 1: Basic HTML Nav Tag

plaintext
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<body>

<nav>
  <a href="index.html">Home</a>
  <a href="about.html">About</a>
  <a href="contact.html">Contact</a>
</nav>

</body>
</html>

In this example, a simple navigation section is created with three internal links: Home, About, and Contact.

Example 2: SEO Optimized Nav Tag

plaintext
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<body>

<nav>
  <ul>    
  <li><a href="https://www.scholar247.com/web-development" aria-label="Web Development Courses - Scholar247">Web Development</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.scholar247.com/seo-tutorials"  aria-label="SEO Tutorials for Beginners - Scholar247">SEO Tutorials</a></li>
  <li><a href="https://www.scholar247.com/html-guide"  aria-label="HTML Guide for Students - Scholar247">HTML Guide</a></li>       
  </ul>
</nav>

</body>
</html>

This example uses clear aria-label attributes and keyword-rich link text to improve SEO and accessibility for important pages on Scholar247.

Attributes of the HTML <nav> Tag

The nav tag has no special attributes.
However, global attributes can be used, such as:

• class: For styling with CSS
• id: For unique identification
• aria-label: For accessibility
• style: For inline styling
• role: To define the purpose for assistive tools

Best Practices for HTML <nav> Tag

• Use nav only for main navigational links, not for every group of links
• Group items logically for easy navigation
• Add meaningful link text with relevant keywords
• Use aria-label for better screen reader support
• Keep navigation consistent across all pages
• Avoid too many links to maintain clarity and usability

FAQs About HTML <nav> Tag

Q1: What is the purpose of the nav tag?

The nav tag defines the navigation menu of a website, making it easy for users to browse different pages.

Q2: Does the nav tag improve SEO?

Yes. A structured and keyword-optimized navigation improves user experience and helps search engines crawl and understand the website layout.

Q3: Can I use multiple nav tags on one page?

Yes, but each should be used for a major navigation section like header, sidebar, or footer.

Q4: Where should the nav tag be placed?

It is usually placed in the header or sidebar area inside the body tag.

Q5: Can I use lists inside the nav tag?

Yes, lists are commonly used for creating well-organized and accessible navigation menus.

HTML

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