The <b> Element

Inline Text Semantics

Use the <b> element to highlight text to which attention is being drawn for utilitarian purposes without conveying any extra importance (use <strong> for importance) and with no implication of an alternate voice or mood (use <i> for alternate voice or mood). Don't use <b> as a generic <bold> element or only for presentation.

Attributes for <b>

Type	Attribute List
'Standard' Attributes	(none)

Notes

• The HTML5 specification says that the <b> element should be used as a last resort when no other element is more appropriate. In particular, headings should use the <h1> to <h6> elements, stress emphasis should use the <em> element, importance should be denoted with the <strong> element, and text marked or highlighted should use the <mark> element.
• To denote importance, use the <strong> element instead of the <b> element. Many web authors use the <b> element when the <strong> element would be more appropriate.

Recommended Links

• CanIUse.com: Search <b> (browser compatibility information)
• CanIEmail.com: Search <b> (email client compatibility information)
• Why are some presentational elements like <b>, <i> and <small> still included?
• HTML 4.01: B element
• HTML5 (WHATWG): b element
• MDN: <b>
• Quackit: HTML <b> tag

Search Engine Links (for more information)

• Bing "b element"
• Google "b element"