← HTML & CSS

Line breaks (br)

A self-closing HTML element that inserts a line break, forcing the next content onto a new line. It has no content and needs no closing tag.

Part of: HTML and CSS Journey — Module 10

What it does: Each here inserts a line break with no closing tag. This is the correct usage for formatting an address. The keeps both lines inside the same but moves the second line down, creating a line break without a new paragraph. is self-closing - it has no content and no closing tag. Writing is invalid HTML. The correct element is . There is no <break> element in HTML. HTML tag names must be lowercase. The correct form is not . is for intentional line breaks within content. For spacing between paragraphs, use CSS margin instead.

Common mistakes: is a self-closing element - it must not have a closing tag. The correct form is simply with no forward slash at the start. HTML tag names must be lowercase. with capital letters is non-standard. The correct form is in lowercase.

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Learning

Duo

True or false: needs a closing tag.

FalseTrue

Matches

Hello World

↓

is self-closing - it must not have a closing tag

Applying

Meanings

Term

Meaning

A self-closing HTML element that inserts a line break, forcing the next content onto a new line. It has no content and needs no closing tag.

Practice

Testing

Gaps

Line one<>

Check Answer

Spots

1Line one

2Line two

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Quick Questions

1. True or false: needs a closing tag.

A. False ✓

B. True

is self-closing - it has no content and no closing tag. Writing is invalid HTML.

2. Which of these is a valid way to write a line break in HTML5?

A. ✓

B. <break>

The correct element is . There is no <break> element in HTML.

3. True or false: with capital letters is valid HTML.

A. False ✓

B. True

HTML tag names must be lowercase. The correct form is not .

4. What is the best use case for ?

A. Line breaks in addresses or poetry ✓

B. Adding space between paragraphs

is for intentional line breaks within content. For spacing between paragraphs, use CSS margin instead.

5. True or false: and are both valid in HTML5.

A. True ✓

B. False

Both and are accepted in HTML5. The self-closing slash is optional.

Match the Pairs

Line one Line two → Inserts a line break inside the paragraph - 'Line two' starts on a new line without ending the paragraph

→ A self-closing line break - the trailing slash is optional in HTML5 but both forms are valid

is self-closing - it has no content and needs no closing tag → Street City Country

forces the next content onto a new line within the same block → Roses are red Violets are blue

Hello World → is self-closing - it must not have a closing tag

Section one Section two → Stacking multiple elements for spacing is bad practice - use CSS margin instead

Key Term

 

A self-closing HTML element that inserts a line break, forcing the next content onto a new line. It has no content and needs no closing tag.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Line one Line two

Hint: Type the self-closing element that inserts a line break

2. First line Second line Third line

Hint: Type the element name that forces a line break

3. 42 Oak Ave Melbourne

Hint: Type the self-closing tag that moves text to the next line

4. Roses are red Violets are blue

Hint: Type the element name used inside the self-closing br tag

5. <body> Hello World </body>

Hint: Type the tag name that breaks the line without starting a new paragraph

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Line one

B Line two

C Line three

Line A — is a self-closing element - it must not have a closing tag. The correct form is simply with no forward slash at the start.

Question 2

A

B First line

C Second line

D

Line B — HTML tag names must be lowercase. with capital letters is non-standard. The correct form is in lowercase.

Question 3

A

B Street address

C

D City name

E

Line C — Using multiple elements to create spacing is bad practice. For visual spacing between content blocks, use CSS margin or padding instead of stacking line breaks.

Question 4

A First line

B Second line

C Third line

D

Line D — is self-closing - it must never have a closing tag. The correct form is just or .

Question 5

A <body>

B Hello World

C How are you?

D Fine thanks

E <break>New section</break>

Line E — <break> is not a valid HTML element. The correct self-closing element for a line break is .

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