Why Alt Tag Attribute is used?

HTML <img> alt Attribute

HTML <img> tag

Example

An image with an alternate text specified:

<img src="smiley.gif" alt="Smiley face">

Try it Yourself »

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Browser Support

The alt attribute is supported in all major browsers.
Note: Internet Explorer 7 (and earlier) displays the value of the alt attribute as a tooltip, when mousing over the image. This is NOT the correct behavior, according to the HTML specification.

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Definition and Usage

The required alt attribute specifies an alternate text for an image, if the image cannot be displayed.
The alt attribute provides alternative information for an image if a user for some reason cannot view it (because of slow connection, an error in the src attribute, or if the user uses a screen reader).
Tip: To create a tooltip for an image, use the title attribute!

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Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

NONE.

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Syntax

<img alt="text">

Attribute Values

Value	Description
text	Specifies an alternate text for an image.Guidelines for the alt text: The text should describe the image if the image contains information The text should explain where the link goes if the image is inside an <a> element Use alt="" if the image is only for decoration

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HTML <img> tag