HTML source Tag

Posted in HTML Tutorial

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 26 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The <source> tag in HTML is a powerful element primarily used within the <audio> and <video> tags to provide multiple media sources.

This guide will delve into the intricacies of the <source> tag, empowering you to harness its capabilities for seamless media presentation.

🤔 What is <source> Tag?

The <source> tag is employed to specify different media resources for browsers to choose from, ensuring compatibility and optimal user experience. It is commonly nested within the <audio> and <video> tags to offer alternative formats or sources for the embedded media.

💡 Syntax

To use the <source> tag, place it inside the <audio> or <video> tags, providing attributes like src for the source URL and type for the media type.

syntax.html

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<video controls>
    <source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
    <source src="movie.webm" type="video/webm">
    Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

🧰 Attributes

src: Specifies the URL of the media file.
type: Declares the MIME type of the media file, aiding browsers in selecting a compatible source.

📚 Common Use Cases

Multiple Source Options:

By including multiple <source> elements within a <video> or <audio> tag, you can accommodate various formats, ensuring playback across different browsers.
multiple-source-options.html
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```
<audio controls>
    <source src="audio.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
    <source src="audio.ogg" type="audio/ogg">
    Your browser does not support the audio tag.
</audio>
```

Fallback Content:

The content within the <video> or <audio> tags serves as fallback in case none of the specified sources are supported.

fallback-content.html

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<video controls>
    <source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
    <source src="movie.webm" type="video/webm">
    Fallback content if the browser doesn't support any of the sources.
</video>

🖥️ Browser Support

Understanding the compatibility of the <source> tag across different browsers is essential for delivering a consistent user experience. Here's an overview of its support:

Google Chrome: Fully supported.
Mozilla Firefox: Fully supported.
Microsoft Edge: Fully supported.
Safari: Fully supported.
Opera: Fully supported.
Internet Explorer: Partial support (some versions may have limitations).

Ensure you test your code in various browsers to guarantee a seamless experience for your audience.

🏆 Best Practices

Include multiple <source> elements to ensure broader compatibility.
Provide a fallback message within the <audio> or <video> tags for unsupported browsers.
Verify media types and formats supported by various browsers.

🎉 Conclusion

Mastering the <source> tag is key to delivering high-quality multimedia content on the web. By providing multiple sources and understanding browser compatibility, you ensure a seamless experience for users across various platforms.