What is the difference between <section> and <div>?
What is the difference between "section" and "div"?
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06-Jun-2024
Ravi Vishwakarma
06-Jun-2024<section> and <div> are both HTML elements used for grouping content, but their meaning and intended purpose are different.
<div> Element
The <div> element is a common container that is used for grouping and styling content. The <div> tag can be added within section tags. It has no inherent meaning and is mainly used to group elements for layout purposes or for styling with CSS.
Example :
<section> Element
The <section> element is a semantic HTML5 element used to define a group of topical content. It represents an independent section of content that is semantically meaningful in its own right.
<section> typically contains related content that forms a coherent unit, such as a chapter of an article, a section of a web page, or a topical grouping of content.
The section tag defines a new area of elements in a webpage. The section tag cannot be added within a <div> tag, but sections can be added within sections in HTML.
Example :
Differences:
Use Case:
<div>: This is used for general grouping and layout purposes, often in conjunction with CSS for styling.
<section>: It is used to define independent sections of content with a specific subject or topic.
Accessibility:
<div>: It may not provide as much context for assistive technologies.
<section>: This provides additional meaning, which can help assistive technologies understand the structure of the content.
SEO:
<div>: It does not provide any specific relative information to search engines.
<section>: This can provide search engines with additional context about the organization and structure of the content
When to use
Use <div> A generic container for grouping content for styling purposes, with no specific meaning.
Use <section> Defining an independent section of content on an HTML page with a specific subject or topic, thereby providing additional semantic meaning for assistive technologies and search engines.