The H1 tag is the highest-level heading element (<h1>) in HTML. It names the main subject of the page and sits at the top of the heading hierarchy, followed by <h2> and <h3> for subsections.
Why it matters
A clear H1 helps visitors confirm they are on the right page and gives search engines a strong cue about the topic. It also gives screen reader users a landmark for the page's purpose. HTML5 technically allows several, but one H1 per page keeps the outline simple.
On long pages, a descriptive H1 plus logical H2 sections also makes it easier to link to a specific part of the article and for assistive technology to jump between sections.
Example
<h1>How to Fix a 502 Bad Gateway</h1>
<h2>Check the upstream server</h2>
<h2>Review proxy timeouts</h2>Common mistakes
- Wrapping the logo in an H1 on every page, so all pages share the same main heading.
- Skipping levels, such as jumping from H1 to H4, for styling only.
- Hiding the H1 with CSS or leaving it empty.
Related
Get notified when this term updates
Plus occasional practical tips on uptime and monitoring, nothing else. Unsubscribe anytime.
This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.