The HTML <p> tag
Quick answer
The HTML <p> element represents a paragraph of text. It is a block-level element that browsers render with spacing above and below, and it is the standard building block for body copy.
Overview
The <p> element marks up a paragraph — the most common way to group running text. Browsers add default margins above and below each paragraph, so consecutive <p> elements are visually separated.
A paragraph may only contain phrasing (inline) content such as text, <a>, <strong>, <span> and <img> — never block-level elements like a <div> or another <p>. The closing tag is optional in HTML, but always writing it keeps your markup clear and avoids surprises.
Syntax
<p>This is a paragraph of text.</p>
<p>This is a second paragraph.</p>Example
<p>HTML paragraphs are blocks of text.</p>
<p>Each paragraph is separated by default spacing from the browser.</p>Best practices
- Use
<p>for real paragraphs of text, not as a generic spacer. - Control spacing with CSS
margin, not empty paragraphs or stacked <br> tags. - Keep only inline content inside a paragraph.
- Always include the closing
</p>tag for clarity.
Frequently asked questions
What does the <p> element do?
It defines a paragraph. Browsers render each paragraph as a block with spacing above and below.
Can I put a <div> inside a <p>?
No. A paragraph may only contain inline (phrasing) content. Placing a <div> or another
<p> inside it automatically closes the paragraph.How do I add space between paragraphs?
Style the paragraph margins with CSS (for example
p { margin-bottom: 1rem; }) rather than inserting empty paragraphs or <br> tags.Is the closing </p> tag required?
It is technically optional, but always include it — it makes your markup unambiguous and easier to maintain.
How do I center text in a paragraph?
Use CSS:
p { text-align: center; }. Avoid deprecated presentational attributes — alignment belongs in CSS.