How to Underline Text in HTML

Have you wanted to underline text in HTML but just could not figure out how to do it? then we have the tutorial for you.

We have partnered with Urban Imp, an Australian game designer who created Little solitaire and a host of other HTML games to take you through step by step how to underline text in HTML.

In order to accomplish this you will need to have a code editor and a basci understanding of HTML. Let’s pass it over to urban imp.

Hey there, fellow coders! I’m excited to guide you through the straightforward, yet essential art of underlining text in HTML.

Over the years, I’ve seen many methods to achieve this, but today, I’m going to share with you the standard practices, and a bit of the reasoning behind them. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Step 1: The Basic <u> Element

What is the <u> element?

The <u> tag in HTML stands for “underline”. It’s one of the earliest formatting tags introduced in the HTML specification. When you wrap text within this tag, it renders as underlined.

How to use it:

A word of caution:

While the <u> tag is quick and straightforward, its use is somewhat deprecated in modern web design for purely decorative purposes.

The underlined text can be mistaken for links, which are also conventionally underlined.

That said, it’s still valid to use <u> for specific contexts where underlining is semantically meaningful, such as indicating a misspelled word.

Step 2: The CSS Approach

For more control over styling and to follow modern best practices, it’s often better to use CSS. The text-decoration property is our best friend here.

Inline CSS:

If you just need a one-off underline, you can use an inline style.

Internal or External CSS:

For a more structured and reusable solution, you can define a class in your style section or CSS file.

Then, apply this class to any HTML element where you want the text to be underlined.

Why the CSS way?

Using CSS gives you flexibility. With the text-decoration property, not only can you underline, but you can also apply other decorations such as overline (overline) or strike through (line-through).

Additionally, CSS offers better separation between content and presentation, making your site easier to maintain and more accessible.

Step 3: Going Beyond Basic Underlining

Now, this is where the fun begins. Let’s explore some more advanced underlining techniques.

Custom Underline Style and Color:

CSS3 lets you define not just the type of text decoration, but also its style and color.

Underline On Hover:

A common practice is to underline text when a user hovers over it, often seen with links.

Final Thoughts

Underlining text in HTML might seem simple at first glance, but as with many things in the world of web development, there are layers of depth and nuance to consider.

Whether you choose to use the straightforward <u> tag or venture into the world of CSS styling, I hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding of the choices available and the reasons behind them.

Remember, while underlining can be a useful tool for emphasis, use it judiciously. Less is often more. 

If you would like to see more tutorials like this and other HTML & CSS tutorials, then you can head on over to our blog and chaeck out the great range of information, news and tutorials that Home Giraffe has on offer. Happy coding.