Comparison
HTML and CSS: structure and presentation
HTML and CSS address different parts of a web page. HTML describes content and meaning, while CSS controls presentation.
At a glance
- HTML role
- Content structure and semantics
- CSS role
- Visual presentation and layout
Overview
HTML and CSS address different parts of a web page. HTML describes content and meaning, while CSS controls presentation. Most pages use both, so the practical question is which layer should own a particular decision rather than which technology should replace the other.
What differs
HTML identifies elements such as headings, links, and buttons. CSS describes how those elements appear and are arranged. A large font alone does not give a generic element the meaning of a heading.
Choose by the task
Use HTML when deciding what content is or what a control does. Use CSS when deciding spacing, color, typography, and layout, while preserving the content's meaning across presentation changes.
Common confusion
Replacing semantic elements with styled containers can make an interface look correct while losing native behavior. Review both the document structure and the rendered result when evaluating a page.
Sources and review
MOOR's explanatory text is supported by the following source links.
- HTML reference — MDN Web Docs
- CSS reference — MDN Web Docs