HTML 4 vs. HTML 5: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 10, 2024

HTML 4 is an older version of the HTML standard with limited multimedia support, while HTML 5 is its modern update, supporting rich media, graphics, and new semantic elements.

HTML 4 vs. HTML 5

Key Differences

HTML 4, released in 1997, focused on structuring and presenting content on the World Wide Web. HTML 5, introduced in 2014, extended these capabilities with enhanced support for multimedia and graphics.

Feb 10, 2024

In HTML 4, multimedia elements like audio and video required external plugins. HTML 5 introduced native audio and video elements, eliminating the need for additional software.

Feb 10, 2024

HTML 4's approach to web design was more rigid, relying heavily on tables for layout. HTML 5 brought more flexibility with new semantic elements like

,

, and

Feb 10, 2024

HTML 4 had limited capabilities in handling interactive applications. HTML 5, with its APIs and canvas element, empowered developers to build complex web applications and games.

Feb 10, 2024

Accessibility was less of a focus in HTML 4. HTML 5 improved accessibility standards, making web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

Feb 10, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Multimedia Support

Requires plugins for audio/video

Native support for audio and video

Feb 10, 2024

Web Design Flexibility

Limited, uses tables for layout

Enhanced, with new semantic elements

Feb 10, 2024

Interactive Capabilities

Limited support for web applications

Extensive APIs for advanced applications

Feb 10, 2024

Accessibility

Basic accessibility features

Improved accessibility standards

Feb 10, 2024

Graphic and Animation Support

Limited, often relying on external tools

Advanced with canvas and SVG support

Feb 10, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

HTML 4 and HTML 5 Definitions

HTML 4

Basic form controls;

HTML 4 forms were simpler and less interactive.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 5

Native audio and video support;

HTML 5 eliminates the need for video plugins.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 4

Supports inline frames (iframe);

HTML 4 introduced the iframe element.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 5

Advanced APIs for interactivity;

HTML 5 allows building complex web games.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 4

A markup language for structuring web content;

HTML 4 structured websites using tables.

Jan 19, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

HTML 5

Canvas element for graphics;

HTML 5's canvas enables dynamic graphic creation.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 4

Lacks native audio/video support;

In HTML 4, videos required Flash player.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 5

Enhanced version of HTML for modern web;

HTML 5 supports responsive web design.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 4

Limited semantic elements;

HTML 4 used div tags extensively for layout.

Jan 19, 2024

HTML 5

Rich set of semantic elements;

HTML 5 uses 'article' and 'section' for better structure.

Jan 19, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What's the main difference between HTML 4 and 5?

HTML 5 supports multimedia natively and has more semantic elements.

Feb 10, 2024

Is HTML 4 still used?

It's outdated, but some legacy sites may still use it.

Feb 10, 2024

Does HTML 5 require fewer plugins?

Yes, it reduces the need for external plugins like Flash.

Feb 10, 2024

Is HTML 5 better for mobile web?

Yes, it supports responsive design for mobile devices.

Feb 10, 2024

Are HTML 4 and 5 compatible?

HTML 5 is backwards compatible with HTML 4.

Feb 10, 2024

Can HTML 5 handle multimedia better?

Yes, with native audio and video elements.

Feb 10, 2024

Does HTML 4 support responsive design?

No, that's a feature introduced in HTML 5.

Feb 10, 2024

Can HTML 5 be used for web applications?

Yes, it's ideal for complex web applications.

Feb 10, 2024

Does HTML 4 support the canvas element?

No, canvas is exclusive to HTML 5.

Feb 10, 2024

Are HTML 5 pages faster?

They can be, due to better code structure and features.

Feb 10, 2024

Are video games possible with HTML 5?

Yes, especially with the canvas API.

Feb 10, 2024

Can I convert an HTML 4 site to HTML 5?

Yes, but it may require some restructuring.

Feb 10, 2024

Are forms different in HTML 5?

HTML 5 forms have more features and input types.

Feb 10, 2024

Does HTML 5 improve web accessibility?

Yes, it has better accessibility standards.

Feb 10, 2024

Is learning HTML 5 worth it?

Absolutely, it's crucial for modern web development.

Feb 10, 2024

Is HTML 4 simpler than HTML 5?

In some ways, but it's less capable.

Feb 10, 2024

Can HTML 5 replace Flash?

Yes, for most multimedia purposes.

Feb 10, 2024

Does HTML 5 work in all browsers?

It's supported in all modern web browsers.

Feb 10, 2024

Is HTML 5 SEO-friendly?

Yes, thanks to its semantic elements.

Feb 10, 2024

Should new developers learn HTML 4?

Focus on HTML 5, as it's the current standard.

Feb 10, 2024

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

Amish vs. Quakers

HTML 4 vs. HTML 5

Google vs. Google Chrome

HTML 4 vs. HTML 5

About Author

Written by

Shumaila 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.

Trending Comparisons

Mom vs. Son

December 29, 2024

Mom typically refers to a female parent, emphasizing nurturing and caregiving roles, while a son is a male child of parents, highlighting familial lineage and male offspring dynamics.

Million vs. Billion

Million vs. Billion

February 29, 2024

A million is 1,000,000, while a billion is 1,000,000,000; a billion is a thousand times larger than a million.

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

May 26, 2024

Positivism emphasizes observable, empirical evidence and the scientific method, while post-positivism recognizes the limitations of pure objectivity and incorporates subjective perspectives.

Coordinator vs. Supervisor

Coordinator vs. Supervisor

September 30, 2024

A coordinator aligns team tasks for efficiency, focusing on project logistics; a supervisor oversees staff performance, guiding and evaluating work.

Symmetric vs. Symmetrical

Symmetric vs. Symmetrical

December 9, 2024

Symmetric implies balance and equality in parts or arrangement, while symmetrical explicitly refers to mirror-like or harmonious proportions.

Shriners vs. Masons

Shriners vs. Masons

February 29, 2024

Shriners are a subgroup within Freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of Freemasonry with broader goals and activities.

Fascism vs. Dictatorship

Fascism vs. Dictatorship

March 2, 2024

Fascism is a political ideology with authoritarian nationalism; dictatorship is a governance form with absolute power in one person or group, differing in ideology and structure.

Pulley vs. Sheave

Pulley vs. Sheave

April 4, 2024

A pulley is a wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, while a sheave is the wheel part of a pulley system that specifically interacts with the cable.

Paranormal vs. Supernatural

Paranormal vs. Supernatural

December 26, 2024

Paranormal involves phenomena beyond scientific explanation, focusing on events like ghost sightings. Supernatural encompasses all beyond natural laws, including deities and magic.

ASCII vs. EBCDIC

ASCII vs. EBCDIC

February 28, 2024

ASCII is a 7-bit character encoding standard for text; EBCDIC is an 8-bit character encoding used mainly in IBM mainframe systems.

Report vs. Article

Report vs. Article

July 20, 2024

A report presents findings or results, often following research or analysis, while an article is a written piece on a wide range of topics, primarily for information or entertainment.

Bachelor vs. Batchelor

Bachelor vs. Batchelor

December 22, 2024

"Bachelor" refers to an unmarried man; "Batchelor" is a less common spelling, often a surname or a place name, not used in the context of marital status.

Metrics vs. Matrix

Metrics vs. Matrix

October 19, 2024

Metrics refer to a system or standard of measurement, often used in evaluation and analysis, while a matrix is a rectangular array of numbers or symbols arranged in rows and columns.

NM3 vs. M3

April 19, 2024

NM3 measures gas volume under Normal conditions (0°C and 1.01325 bar), while M3 measures volume under the conditions at which it is measured, without standard adjustment.

The Atlantic vs. The New Yorker

The Atlantic vs. The New Yorker

February 27, 2024

The Atlantic is a magazine focusing on news, politics, and cultural commentary, while The New Yorker features a mix of reporting, commentary, criticism, fiction, and cartoons.

Celestial vs. Terrestrial

Celestial vs. Terrestrial

December 8, 2024

Celestial refers to objects or phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere, like stars or planets, while terrestrial pertains to Earth and its inhabitants.

Mercy vs. Compassion

Mercy vs. Compassion

December 18, 2024

Mercy involves leniency or forgiveness towards someone in one’s power, often not giving a punishment deserved, while compassion is the empathetic understanding and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Ash vs. Soot

November 19, 2024

Ash is the residue left after combustion, mainly composed of mineral matter, while soot is a fine black powder formed by incomplete combustion of fuel.

Fluvial vs. Alluvial

Fluvial vs. Alluvial

June 20, 2024

Fluvial processes involve water flow in rivers, shaping the landscape, while alluvial refers to sediments deposited by water, often in floodplains.

TPU vs. PU

April 26, 2024

TPU is a type of thermoplastic elastomer with high elasticity and durability, while PU, or polyurethane, is versatile with varying hardness and used in multiple applications.

380 Auto vs. 38 Special

380 Auto vs. 38 Special

February 29, 2024

The 380 Auto is a small, low-recoil pistol cartridge, whereas the 38 Special is a larger, more powerful revolver cartridge.

Rescind vs. Revoke

Rescind vs. Revoke

July 10, 2024

Rescind involves officially cancelling a decision or agreement; revoke means to officially cancel the validity of something, often involving rights or licenses.

Cosmology vs. Cosmogony

Cosmology vs. Cosmogony

September 8, 2024

Cosmology studies the universe's structure, origin, and evolution, focusing on laws and theories, while cosmogony delves into specific myths, beliefs, and theories about the universe's creation.

Petroglyph vs. Hieroglyph

Petroglyph vs. Hieroglyph

March 5, 2024

Petroglyphs are images carved into rock surfaces, representing prehistoric art, while hieroglyphs are a form of ancient writing using symbolic pictures, often found in Egyptian contexts.

Featured Comparisons

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Coyote vs. Jackal

Coyote vs. Jackal

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Fate vs. Destiny

Fate vs. Destiny