The document skeleton
Build the skeleton of an HTML document with <!DOCTYPE>, <html>, <head> and <body>.
What is the document skeleton?
Every HTML document starts with the same basic skeleton: the <!DOCTYPE html> declaration, the <html> root tag, the <head> header section and the <body> content section. These four pieces tell the browser 'this is an HTML document, its shape is this'.
Without the skeleton the browser may misread the document. So it is a good habit to start every HTML page with the same skeleton.
html, head and body
The <html> tag wraps the whole document; it is the root tag. Inside it there are two sections: <head> carries information about the page and is not shown to the user; <body> carries all the visible content.
These three tags appear in every HTML document. <head> holds the title and settings; <body> holds everything the user sees on the page.
The full structure
The full skeleton is this: first <!DOCTYPE html>, then <html> opens. Inside it comes <head> then <body>; both are closed. Finally </html> is written.
Keeping this order matters for the document to be read correctly. head holds settings, body holds everything the user sees.
Exercise Build the document skeleton
Write a full HTML document skeleton: the <!DOCTYPE html> declaration, and the <html>, <head> and <body> tags all in the right order and closed.
Show example solution
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>Test yourself
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What does <!DOCTYPE html> do?
- Declares the document is HTML
- Adds a heading tag
- Sets the page's background
- Clears the browser's cache
Show answer
Declares the document is HTML — Correct. <!DOCTYPE html> tells the browser the document is modern HTML.
-
Close the html tag
<html> <head></head> <body></body> ____Show answer
<html> <head></head> <body></body> </html> -
Match each part to its role
- <!DOCTYPE html>
- Document type declaration
- <html>
- Document root
- <head>
- Page information
- <body>
- Visible content