big
The obsolete <big> element made text appear one step larger. It adds no meaning and should be replaced with CSS or a semantic HTML element that matches the content.
What you will learn
- Why
bigis an obsolete presentation element - How to manage text size with CSS
- How to choose meaningful elements for importance or headings
Historical syntax
<!-- Old markup: do not use for new work. -->
<big>Large-looking text</big>The browser's default size change is not a reliable design system and does not tell assistive technology why the text should look larger.
Use CSS for appearance
<p class="lead">Large introductory text</p>
.lead {
font-size: 1.25rem;
}CSS separates the visual choice from the document structure. Use a heading element if the text names a section, or strong if it has strong importance. Do not choose an element only because its default style looks larger.
Keep text usable
Use relative units and test zoom and small screens. Avoid communicating meaning through size alone; pair visual styling with headings, labels, or semantic elements.