Is <u> used to underline text?

HTML-CSS
1

Or is it used for hyperlinks?

2

Hyperlinks automatically do that. It’s used to underline text.

3

I will have to admit this one is a new one for me! (I have been with HTML for years)

So, I did a quick research. It is for neither underlining text or creating hyperlinks. Instead, it is used to represent a misspelled word

For example:

<p>This is a <u>parrapgraph</u></p>

Check out further information here

4

I came across that information too but I also found pages saying that it was sued for hyperlinks and others saying it underlines text. When I use it inside a piece of text, the words I apply <u> around become underlined

5

So, I did some further digging. By the way, I do now remember this <u> tag (I apologised for my brain to be at the speed of a snail :see_no_evil:)

Anyway, in the older HTML versions, the purpose of the <u> tag was to underline the text.

Now, this is no longer the case in HTML 5. The purpose of it has changed. It is now to represent a text with a spelling mistake (as I mentioned above).

However, every element has a default style that is set by the browser. This will be displayed if we (developers) have not applied any styling (via CSS) to it.

For example, the hyperlinks (<a> tag) we see on the screen will have a blue colour and it is underlined by default if they have not been styled.

This goes the same for the <u> tag in the current version of HTML5. The purpose is the spelling mistake, but its appearance is underline due to the browser default styling.

Now, I can understand why it is not recommended to use the <u> tag as it is a rather confusing issue.

I will say that when I learn HTML & CSS for the very first time (this was done in the early 2000s and it was the older HTML versions then), it was always recommended to underline a text via CSS.

Here is a basic example

HTML
<p>This is how it should be <span>underlined</span>!</p>

CSS

span {  
  text-decoration: underline;
}

I hope this have now answered your question :slight_smile:

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6

Yes it has, thank you for your help! :slight_smile:

1 Like
7

All those come from what’s called the user agent stylesheet. :wink:

1 Like
8

@martaramos and also, thank you as I have also learn something new too! :joy:

@Steffan153

Yep! That is exactly it! Even though the word user agent feels very…James Bond :sunglasses:

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