Difference Between <div> and <section>
In HTML, both <div> and <section> are used to group content, but they serve different purposes semantically.
What is <div>?
The <div> element is a generic container with no semantic meaning. It is mainly used for layout and styling with CSS or JavaScript.
<div class="header">
<h1>Welcome</h1>
</div>
What is <section>?
The <section> element is a semantic container used to group related content under a thematic grouping, typically with a heading.
<section>
<h2>About Us</h2>
<p>We are a software company...</p>
</section>
Key Differences
| Aspect | <div> | <section> |
|---|---|---|
| Semantic Meaning | None | Yes |
| Usage | Generic container | Thematic content block |
| SEO/Accessibility | Less helpful | More helpful |
| Heading Required? | No | Recommended |
When to Use What?
- Use
<section>for grouped content that forms a logical block, often with a heading. - Use
<div>when you simply need a container for styling or scripting purposes without implying structure.