What content strategy and technology will leading brands use in 2024?

The state of digital content 2024

Photo management

How to insert images with HTML – A guide for the rest of us

by Casey Schmidt  |  December 23, 2019

4 min. read
HTML code.

At some point, everyone comes across HTML. If you’re unfamiliar with HTML, that’s no problem. You can still easily insert images onto a blog post or webpage using it. In fact, it’s not really that difficult if you understand a few basic principles. Here’s a guide to help you out. To simplify everything and help avoid confusion, I’ve color-coded the HTML tags so that you can differentiate them.

How to insert an image with HTML

There’s different paths each user can take to complete this step, so don’t be surprised if your route differs from others.

1. Upload your image

This can be accomplished with an image hosting service, an FTP service or a blog-hosting service. Select whichever works best for you.

HTML tag illustrated.
Begin your insertion by uploading an image.

2. Open your HTML doc

This is self-explanatory, just make sure it’s the HTML document for the place where you want to insert the image.

3. Copy and paste your image URL into an IMG tag, add a SRC to it

Identify first where you’d like to place your image within the HTML and insert the image tag, <img>. Then take your uploaded image, copy the URL and place it within your img parameters prefaced by a src.

The end result of this step should look like this:

<img src=”(your image URL here)”>

4. Add alt attribute and finishing touches

This helps identify what the picture entails. For example, if it’s a picture of an umbrella on a beach, write the alt tag to include something about a beach umbrella. Be very descriptive as if you were describing it to someone who couldn’t look at it.

A picture of the HTML icon.
The HTML alt attribute is important.

How to put an image into a directory in HTML

If you have a website and you’re trying to insert an image into a directory, the process is relatively straightforward. Here’s how it’s done in three easy steps:

  1. Copy the URL of the image you wish to insert.
  2. Next, open your index.html file and insert it into the img code. Example: <img src=”(your image URL here)”>
  3. Save the HTML file. The next time you open it, you’ll see the webpage with your newly added image.
A group of HTML code.
It’s easy to put an image into a directory.

How to link an image in HTML

Linking an image in HTML requires a few more steps, especially if you want to change certain attributes and details. Here’s a complete step-by-step that covers all you’ll need. You’ll start with the link tag, which is <a>. The href is where you’ll place the URL. Next, you’ll need the image tag, which is <img>. As stated above, the src is where you’ll include the image file.

Now to change the attributes, you’ll need to know the following. First, the title attribute is title =”(your title)”. Next, set your alt attribute, which explains the image in detail. Finally, set the height and width of your image. Use the code <img src=”(your title)” alt=”Image” height=”(your image height)” width=”(your image width)”>.

HTML is pretty straightforward language but it’s okay if you don’t want to learn it in-depth. Just make sure you have the basics down so you can survive when creating digital works.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you ensure that images are responsive and adjust to different screen sizes when using HTML?

To ensure images are responsive and adjust to different screen sizes in HTML, you can use the CSS `max-width` property set to `100%` and height to `auto`. This allows the image to scale down if it has to, but not beyond its original size, ensuring it adapts to the width of its container without losing aspect ratio.

What are the key strategies for enhancing image optimization for the web to ensure quick loading times while maintaining high quality?

To effectively optimize images for web use, it’s essential to compress them to minimize file size without compromising on their visual appeal. Adopting modern image formats such as WebP offers superior compression and quality compared to older formats like JPEG or PNG. Additionally, tailoring the image dimensions to fit the display requirements of your website can eliminate unneeded pixel data, further enhancing loading speeds while preserving image integrity.

How can you add captions or descriptions directly below images in HTML to provide additional context or information?

Adding captions or descriptions directly below images can be achieved by wrapping the `<img>` tag and the caption text in a container, like a `<figure>` tag, and using the `<figcaption>` tag for the caption text. This semantic HTML approach provides a structured way to present images with their associated captions, improving accessibility and readability.