The <i> Element

Inline Text Semantics

Use the <i> element to markup text in an alternate voice or mood, or otherwise offset from the normal prose in a manner indicating a different quality of text. Don't use <i> as a generic <italics> element or only for presentation. Use <em> to stress emphasis and <strong> to stress importance.

Attributes for <i>

Type	Attribute List
'Standard' Attributes	(none)
New HTML5 Attributes	"writingsuggestions"

Notes

• The <em> element (for emphasized text) or the <cite> element (for citations) may be more appropriate than the <i> element. Use the <i> element only if text is in italics by convention. Many web authors use the <i> element when the <em> element would be more appropriate.

Recommended Links

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

Search Engine Links (for more information)

• Bing "i element"
• Google "i element"