HTML vs. HTML5: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

HTML is the standard markup language for creating web pages; HTML5 is its fifth and latest major version, with new features for modern web applications.

Key Differences

HTML and HTML5 are both versions of the Hypertext Markup Language used for structuring and presenting content on the internet.

Shumaila Saeed

Nov 22, 2023

HTML laid the foundation, defining the basic structure of web pages, whereas HTML5 introduced new elements and APIs for more complex web applications, improving multimedia support without needing additional plugins.

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Nov 22, 2023

HTML was limited in multimedia capabilities, often requiring external plugins like Flash, but HTML5 includes native audio and video support, enabling more interactive content.

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Nov 22, 2023

HTML focused primarily on the structure of documents with tags like <div>, <span>, and <a>, while HTML5 introduced semantic elements like <article>, <section>, and <nav> to define different parts of web page content, enhancing the semantic meaning of the web content.

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Nov 22, 2023

HTML's functionality was extended with other technologies like CSS and JavaScript, whereas HTML5 aimed to reduce the need for proprietary plugin-based rich internet application technologies, emphasizing native browser support.

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Nov 22, 2023

HTML forms the basis of web development, with HTML5 building upon it to accommodate modern web needs, including advanced graphics, multimedia, file access, and device capabilities.

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Nov 22, 2023

Comparison Chart

Multimedia Support

Requires third-party plugins

Native support for audio and video

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Nov 22, 2023

Graphics

Limited; uses external technologies

Advanced with Canvas and SVG

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Nov 22, 2023

Storage

Cookies and server-side storage

Local and session storage APIs

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Nov 22, 2023

Semantic Elements

Few; mostly structural

Rich set with tags like <article>, <footer>

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Nov 22, 2023

Device Access

Limited interaction with device capabilities

Access to device hardware like microphone, camera

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Nov 22, 2023

HTML and HTML5 Definitions

HTML

The backbone of web development.

Every web developer starts by learning HTML.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML5

The latest evolution of the standard HTML.

HTML5 allows for the creation of more dynamic and multimedia-rich websites.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML

A markup language for describing web pages.

HTML consists of a series of elements that browsers interpret.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML5

Provides new elements and APIs for web applications.

HTML5's canvas element makes it possible to draw graphics on the fly.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML

Defines the structure and layout of a web document.

HTML tags determine how content appears in a browser.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML5

Incorporates features like local storage and offline use.

HTML5 websites can store data locally for offline access.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML

A language for creating and structuring web page content.

Using HTML, I built a personal portfolio website.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML5

Supports cross-platform mobile applications.

Developers use HTML5 to write apps that work on any mobile device.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML

Standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The latest HTML specification is maintained by the W3C.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML5

Enhances multimedia and interactive capabilities.

With HTML5, I embedded a video directly into the webpage.

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Nov 10, 2023

HTML

A markup language used to structure text and multimedia documents and to set up hypertext links between documents, used extensively on the World Wide Web.

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Nov 09, 2023

HTML

A set of tags and rules (conforming to SGML) for using them in developing hypertext documents

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Nov 09, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is HTML5 replacing Flash?

Yes, HTML5 provides native multimedia support, reducing the need for Flash.

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Nov 22, 2023

What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, used to create the structure of web pages.

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Nov 22, 2023

What is a significant advantage of HTML5 over HTML?

HTML5 supports audio and video natively, unlike HTML.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can HTML5 be used on old browsers?

HTML5 features may not be fully supported in older browsers.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can I learn HTML5 without knowing HTML?

Basic knowledge of HTML is recommended before learning HTML5.

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Nov 22, 2023

How does HTML5 improve accessibility?

HTML5 introduces semantic elements that help screen readers interpret web content.

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Nov 22, 2023

What is HTML5?

HTML5 is the fifth version of HTML, offering new features for modern web applications.

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Nov 22, 2023

Do HTML5 web pages work in all browsers?

Most modern browsers support HTML5, but there may be differences in how features are implemented.

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Nov 22, 2023

Are HTML and HTML5 compatible?

HTML5 is backward compatible with HTML but adds new features.

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Nov 22, 2023

What kind of applications can be developed with HTML5?

Web applications that are rich in multimedia, graphics, and interactivity can be developed with HTML5.

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Nov 22, 2023

Is HTML5 secure?

HTML5 introduces new security considerations but also provides new security features.

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Nov 22, 2023

How has multimedia been improved in HTML5?

HTML5 includes

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Nov 22, 2023

What is the canvas element in HTML5?

It's an HTML5 element used to draw graphics on the web.

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Nov 22, 2023

Does HTML5 replace JavaScript?

No, it works alongside JavaScript to provide interactive features.

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Nov 22, 2023

How is document structure different in HTML5?

HTML5 introduces semantic elements that clearly define the structure of web content.

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Nov 22, 2023

What is the role of CSS in HTML5?

CSS styles the appearance of HTML5 content.

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Nov 22, 2023

Does HTML5 support offline applications?

Yes, through the application cache and local storage.

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Nov 22, 2023

Are HTML5 APIs consistent across different browsers?

There is ongoing work to standardize HTML5 features across browsers.

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Nov 22, 2023

What are some new form elements in HTML5?

New elements include date, time, email, and url.

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Nov 22, 2023

Can HTML5 be used for mobile app development?

Yes, HTML5 is widely used for cross-platform mobile app development.

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Nov 22, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

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.

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