Headings are important because they add structure and meaning to content. Additionally, most screen readers and browsers allow users to jump directly to headings. Headings also provide visual clues about the importance of content because of the size of the heading in relation to the rest of the content. Well-designed content always has a strong visual hierarchy. Poorly designed content has little to no visual hierarchy and gives few clues about where to focus your attention and how the content is organized.


There are six levels of headings that can be used in HTML. Heading 1 indicates the most important and heading 6 the least important. It is extremely rare to use all six levels on a single page. Here is the list:

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6


In addition to applying the headings properly, it is also important to nest them properly. If the subtitles have the same level of importance, they should have the same heading number.


World War II (Heading 1 - Lesson Title)

Causes (Heading 2 - Page Title)


Long-Term Causes (Heading 3 - Main Heading)

  • Nationalism (Heading 4 - Subheading)

  • Militarism (Heading 4 - Subheading)

  • Economics (Heading 4 - Subheading)


Short-Term Causes (Heading 3 - Main Heading)

  • Invasion of Poland (Heading 4 - Subheading)

  • Pearl Harbor (Heading 4 - Subheading)



Every page of content within CourseArc has header 1 and header 2 in place so start with header 3 when adding content. 

showing headers 1 and 2 in CourseArc