What is an ID in HTML?

In HTML, an ID is a unique identifier assigned to a single HTML element. Unlike classes, which can be applied to multiple elements, each ID should be unique within a page, meaning it can be assigned to only one element. IDs are useful for styling unique elements and for targeting elements in JavaScript.

Why Use IDs?

IDs are useful when you need to uniquely style or select a specific element on a page. For example, you might use an ID to style a unique header or to create a section anchor link. IDs are also commonly used in JavaScript to manipulate specific elements.

Examples of Using IDs in HTML

1. Basic ID Example

Here’s a basic example of using an ID to style a unique paragraph element:

Basic Code Examples

      
      <!DOCTYPE html>
      <html lang="en">
          <head>
          <meta charset="UTF-8">
          <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
          <title>Welcome To My Id Page</title>
        <style>
          #main-header {
            font-size: 1.5em;
            color: #e74c3c;
            border-bottom: 2px solid #3498db;
            padding-bottom: 5px;
          }
        </style>
        </head>
        <body>
          <p id="unique-element">This paragraph has a unique style.</p>       
        </body>
      </html>
      
      


Output

                    
          

This paragraph has a unique style.


2. Styling a Header Using an ID

You can use an ID to style a unique header. Here’s an example:

Basic Code Examples

      
      <!DOCTYPE html>
      <html lang="en">
        <head>
          <meta charset="UTF-8">
          <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
          <title>Welcome To My Id Page</title>
        <style>
          #main-header {
            font-size: 1.5em;
            color: #e74c3c;
            border-bottom: 2px solid #000000;
            padding-bottom: 5px;
            }
        </style>
        </head>
        <body>
          <h2 id="main-header">Main Section Header</h2>      
        </body>
      </html>
       
      


Output

                    
          

Main Section Header


3. Using IDs for JavaScript Targeting

IDs are also commonly used to select elements in JavaScript. Here’s an example:

Basic Code Examples

      
      <!DOCTYPE html>
      <html lang="en">
        <head>
          <meta charset="UTF-8">
          <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
          <title>Unique ID Styling</title>
        <style>
          #highlighted-section {
            background-color: #f9c74f;
            color: #333;
            padding: 10px;
            border-radius: 5px;
            font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
            font-size: 1.2em;
            }
        </style>
        </head>
        <body>
          <h1>Welcome to My Unique ID Page</h1>
          <div id="highlighted-section">
            This is a specially styled section with a unique ID.
          </div>
            <p>Other content on the page is styled differently or not at all.</p>
        </body>
      </html>
      
      


Output

                    
          

Welcome to My Unique ID Page

This is a specially styled section with a unique ID.

Other content on the page is styled differently or not at all.


Conclusion

IDs in HTML provide a way to uniquely identify elements for styling and JavaScript manipulation. While IDs are powerful, remember to use them sparingly and only when you need a unique identifier. For reusable styling, classes are often a better choice.