Is it necessary to use an end tag with
for clearing floats?

Question

When using a DIV element with a style of clear:both to clear a previous float, is it necessary to use a start and end tag to the DIV element? Here is an example ...

Is this OK?

<div style="clear:both;" />

or should it be this?

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

I would assume it would be necessary. It's important to terminate your tags. — Bry6n, Feb 14 '12 at 15:10

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:13

2

You need the closing tag, or browsers will not think the tag is closed.

However, why would you even want to use <div style="clear:both;"></div>? That involves adding an extra unsemantic div for no reason.

There are better ways to contain/clear floats:

Use overflow: hidden on the the element that contains your floats.
Or, use a clearfix such as the "micro clearfix".

answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:13

thirtydot

210,355
44
377
337

1

Both will work but `overflow: hidden` will become a pain in the arm for grids and such. That's why grid usually come with said microfix, which works wonders. – elclanrs Feb 14 '12 at 15:55

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:13

1

If you're working in XHTML it is OK to use the <div />, if you're working in HTML 4.X you should add the </div>

answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:13

Tim D'Haene

1,053
9
8

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:30

1

Its not valid in HTML 4 & also in HTML5. Valid in XHTML. May chances of intercepting wrongly by browsers.

answered Feb 14 '12 at 15:30

Praveen Vijayan

5,547
2
27
25

Is it necessary to use an end tag with for clearing floats?

3 Answers3

Is it necessary to use an end tag with
for clearing floats?