Definition of HTML "inline tag" and "inline element"

Definition of inline tag

Inline tags are the HTML tags that are used to create text and other visual elements in the direction of flow of text within a paragraph, which is from left to right in many languages. For example, <span> tag is normally an inline tag, in contrast to the <div> tag, which is normally a block tag. However, styles can be used to override a tag to make it a display: inline tag.

Definition of inline element

In the HTML content models, an inline element consists of a single standalone inline tag or the starting and ending tags for phrasing content along with any other phrasing content between them. Inline elements are the HTML elements for text and other visual elements displayed in the direction of flow of text within a paragraph, which is from left to right in many languages. For example, the span element is normally an inline element, in contrast to the div element, which is normally a block element. However, styles can be used to override an element to make it a display: inline element.

In an HTML document, an inline element is created by either a single standalone self-closed tag or else a pair of starting and ending tags, which mark the beginning and end of the element. The element type indicated by the element name determines whether the element is an inline element or not.

Phrasing content consists of text that may be interspersed with inline elements.