HTML Heading Tags for Beginners with Examples (Avoid These Common Mistakes!)

Introduction

If you’re just starting with HTML, one of the most important — but often misunderstood — elements is the heading tag. From <h1> to <h6>, these tags don’t just style your text — they structure your content, boost your SEO, and help users and search engines navigate your page easily.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll:

• Understand how each heading tag works
• Learn where to use which tag
• See real examples
• Avoid common mistakes that can hurt your ranking

Let’s dive in!

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What Are HTML Heading Tags?

HTML heading tags are used to define the headings and subheadings of your web page. They help organize your content in a meaningful and readable way. These tags tell both the user and search engines what your page or section is about.

There are six levels of heading tags in HTML:

<h1>This is a main heading (h1)</h1>
<h2>This is a subheading (h2)</h2>
<h3>This is a smaller subheading (h3)</h3>
<h4>This is a deeper subheading (h4)</h4>
<h5>This is a small subheading (h5)</h5>
<h6>This is the smallest subheading (h6)</h6>

Learn more from W3Schools HTML Headings Guide

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How to Use Heading Tags Properly (With Examples)

<h1>: Use only once per page

<h1> is your main title, and it tells search engines the main topic of the page. You should use it only once.

<h1>HTML Beginner Guide</h1>

<h2>: Use for primary sections under <h1>

<h2>What are HTML Headings?</h2>

<h3> to <h6>: Use for sub-sections inside <h2>

<h3>How to Write Heading Tags</h3>
<h4>Common Mistakes with Headings</h4>

Tip: Think of headings like a book structure — <h1> is the book title, <h2> is chapters, <h3> are sub-sections of chapters.

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When to Use Each Heading Tag

Tag	Purpose	How Often to Use
<h1>	Main page heading	Once per page
<h2>	Main sections	Multiple if needed
<h3>	Sub-sections under <h2>	As needed
<h4>–<h6>	Deeper sections	Use only if necessary

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Common Mistakes Using H1 to H6 in HTML (And How to Fix Them)

1. Using multiple <h1> tags on a single page

Why it’s wrong: It confuses search engines about the page topic.

Fix: Use only one <h1>. For other sections, use <h2>, <h3>, etc.

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2. Skipping heading levels

Wrong Example:

<h1>Main Topic</h1>
<h4>Sub Topic</h4>

Fix: Always follow logical order.

<h1>Main Topic</h1>
<h2>Sub Topic</h2>
<h3>Detail of Sub Topic</h3>

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3. Using headings for styling only

Wrong:

<h2 style="color:blue;">Blue Text</h2>

Fix: Use a <p> tag with CSS class for styling.

<p class="blue-text">Blue Text</p>

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Best Practices for HTML Headings (For SEO + UX)

• Always use only one <h1> per page
• Maintain a clear structure with <h2>, <h3> as your content needs
• Do not skip heading levels
• Use headings to break long content into readable chunks
• Keep headings clear, short, and keyword-rich
• Ensure your heading hierarchy is logical for both users and screen readers
• Include relevant keywords naturally in <h1> and <h2> tags

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Example: Perfect Heading Structure for a Blog Post

<h1>How to Learn HTML Fast</h1>

<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>Some intro content...</p>

<h2>Step-by-Step Learning</h2>
<h3>Step 1: Understand HTML Syntax</h3>
<h3>Step 2: Practice with Real Code</h3>

<h2>Common HTML Mistakes</h2>
<h3>Heading Tag Misuse</h3>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

This structure is clean, SEO-friendly, and beginner-friendly.

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Conclusion

HTML heading tags may look simple, but they play a huge role in making your content organized, readable, and SEO-optimized. Whether you’re building a personal blog or a professional site, understanding how to use <h1> to <h6> correctly will make your pages more effective.

Avoid the common mistakes, follow the best practices, and always focus on clear content hierarchy.

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FAQs

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Next Article:

HTML Editor Kya Hota Hai? Notepad Se Apna First Web Page Kaise Banaye – Step-by-Step Guide [2025]

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Written by: Aditya (Programming Sikho)