Heading vs. Header: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A heading is a title or label of a section in a document, while a header is a section at the top of a document or page containing information like the title, page number, or author's name.
Key Differences
Headings are titles or subtitles used within the main text of a document to signify the start of a new section or topic. Headers, however, are part of a document's layout, appearing at the top of each page with consistent information.
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Nov 14, 2023
The purpose of a heading is to provide a clear, concise title for a specific section or subsection of content. A header's function is to offer repeated information on every page, such as a document title or chapter name.
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Nov 14, 2023
Headings are integral to the organization of the content, helping readers navigate the document. Headers are more about the format and structure, giving a professional appearance and aiding in document identification.
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Nov 14, 2023
A heading is often formatted distinctly, with different sizes and styles to indicate hierarchy. A header is typically uniform across all pages, maintaining a consistent format for ease of reference.
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Nov 14, 2023
In digital documents, headings can be used for navigation, like in a table of contents. Headers, while less interactive, provide a quick reference to the document's title or other key information.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Location in Document
Within the main text as titles or subtitles
At the top of each page
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Function
Signify the start of new sections/topics
Display consistent information on each page
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Role in Document
Organizational and navigational
Formatting and identification
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Formatting
Varies to show hierarchy and importance
Uniform across the document
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Heading and Header Definitions
Heading
The title that denotes a subsection within a larger text.
Under the main heading, there were several smaller headings.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
The top margin of a page in a document used for titles or important info.
The document's header made it easy to locate the current chapter.
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Nov 14, 2023
Heading
A heading is a title at the beginning of a section or paragraph.
The document had a heading for each chapter.
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Nov 14, 2023
Heading
A label used to indicate the subject or topic of content.
Each major topic was introduced with a bold heading.
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Header
One that removes a head from an object, especially a machine that reaps the heads of grain and passes them into a wagon or receptacle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
Part of a document's text used for organizational purposes.
The report used different headings for various sections.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
A pipe that serves as a central connection for two or more smaller pipes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
A navigational element in documents, particularly digital ones.
Clicking on the heading in the table of contents took me to the right section.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
A floor or roof beam placed between two long beams that supports the ends of the tailpieces.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The title, subtitle, or topic that stands at the top or beginning, as of a paragraph, letter, or chapter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A brick or stone laid at a right angle to the face of a wall so that only its short end is showing. Also called bonder.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The course or direction in which a ship or aircraft is pointing or moving.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
Textual information, such as a title, date, or page number, positioned in the top margin of a page and usually repeated throughout a document.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A raised tank or hopper that maintains a constant pressure or supply to a system, especially the small tank that supplies water to a central heating system.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The title or topic of a document, article, chapter, or of a section thereof.
Put the information under the "Advantages" heading
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
The upper portion of a page (or other) layout.
If you reduce the header of this document, the body will fit onto a single page.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(nautical) The direction into which a seagoing or airborne vessel's bow is pointing (apparent heading) and/or the direction into which it is actually moving relative to the ground (true heading)
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
Text, or other visual information, used to mark off a quantity of text, often titling or summarizing it.
Your header is too long; "Local Cannibals" will suffice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
Text, or other visual information, that goes at the top of a column of information in a table.
That column should have the header "payment status".
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(mining) A gallery, drift, or adit in a mine; also, the end of a drift or gallery; the vein above a drift.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
(informal) A font, text style, or typesetting used for any of the above.
Parts of speech belong in a level-three header. Level-two headers are reserved for the name of the language.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(sewing) The extension of a line ruffling above the line of stitch.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
(computing) The first part of a file or record that describes its contents.
The header includes an index, an identifier, and a pointer to the next entry.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(flags) A strip of material at the hoist end of a flag, used for attaching the flag to its halyard.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
(networking) the first part of a packet or stream, often containing its address and descriptors.
The encapsulation layer adds an eight-byte header and a two-byte trailer to each packet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The act or state of one who, or that which, heads; formation of a head.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
(masonry) A brick that is laid sideways at the top of a wall or within the brickwork with the short side showing.
This wall has four header courses.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A machine that separates and gathers the heads of grain etc.
They fed the bale into the header.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
(soccer) The act of hitting the ball with the head.
His header for the goal followed a perfect corner kick.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A headlong fall, jump or dive.
The clown tripped over the other clown and took a header.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
A line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about;
The heading seemed to have little to do with the text
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A raised tank that supplies water at constant pressure, especially to a central heating and hot water system.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A pipe which connects several smaller pipes.
Common practice is to use plastic pipes with iron headers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine;
They dug a drift parallel with the vein
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
The rodeo performer who drives the steer toward the heeler to be tied.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
One who, or that which, heads nails, rivets, etc., esp. a machine for heading.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A brick or stone laid with its shorter face or head in the surface of the wall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A fall or plunge head first, as while riding a bicycle, or a skateboard, or in bathing; - sometimes, implying the striking of the head on the ground; as, to take a header.
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about;
The heading seemed to have little to do with the text
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Oct 19, 2023
Header
A framing member crossing and supporting the ends of joists, studs, or rafters so as to transfer their weight to parallel joists, studs, or rafters
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Header
A header is the top section of a document page with specific information.
The header of each page included the book's title.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
A repeating element at the top of pages in a document.
The header contained the chapter number and the page number.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
Part of a document's format, appearing consistently on all pages.
She customized the header to include her name and the date.
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Nov 14, 2023
Header
A section in digital documents containing metadata or navigation links.
The website's header had links to the home page and contact information.
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Nov 14, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a heading?
A heading is a title or subtitle within the text, marking the start of a section.
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Nov 14, 2023
Where do you find a header?
Headers are found at the top of each page in a document.
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Nov 14, 2023
Why are headings important?
Headings help organize content and guide the reader through a document.
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Nov 14, 2023
What is a header?
A header is the top section of a document page with repeated information.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are headers the same on every page?
Yes, headers are typically consistent across all pages of a document.
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Nov 14, 2023
What information is in a header?
Headers often contain the document's title, page numbers, or author's name.
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Nov 14, 2023
Where is a heading located?
Headings are located at the beginning of sections or paragraphs in the main text.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can headings vary in size?
Yes, headings often vary in size to indicate different levels of importance.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can headings be used in tables of contents?
Yes, headings are often used to create a table of contents.
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Nov 14, 2023
Do headers change from section to section?
Headers usually remain the same throughout the document for consistency.
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Nov 14, 2023
What's the main purpose of a heading?
The main purpose of a heading is to label sections and indicate topics.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are headers interactive in digital formats?
Headers in digital formats are usually non-interactive, but may contain navigation links.
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Nov 14, 2023
How do headings help in digital documents?
Headings can be used for navigation, like in a digital table of contents.
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Nov 14, 2023
What's the primary role of a header?
The primary role of a header is to provide consistent, important information on each page.
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Nov 14, 2023
How do headings aid in document organization?
Headings break down the text into manageable sections, making it easier to read and navigate.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is a header necessary on every page?
While common, it's not necessary to have a header on every page.
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What type of information is not suitable for headers?
Detailed or section-specific information is not suitable for headers.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can headings and headers be formatted differently?
Yes, headings and headers often have different formatting styles.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are headings part of the document's body?
Yes, headings are considered part of the document's main text body.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can headers include graphics or logos?
Yes, headers can include graphics or logos for branding or visual appeal.
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Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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