HTML Unordered Lists (<ul>)

Welcome to The Coding College, your trusted companion in learning web development. This guide covers everything about HTML unordered lists, helping you organize content with bullet points and customize their appearance.

What Is an Unordered List?

An unordered list, created with the <ul> element, displays items as a list with bullet points. It is used when the sequence of items is not significant.

Syntax

<ul>
    <li>First item</li>
    <li>Second item</li>
    <li>Third item</li>
</ul>

Output

• First item
• Second item
• Third item

The <li> (list item) tag defines each item in the list.

Why Use Unordered Lists?

• Organize Information: Great for menus, lists, and grouping similar items.
• Improve Readability: Makes text easier to scan.
• Universal Usage: Suitable for both text and navigation menus.

Styling Unordered Lists

1. Changing Bullet Styles

Use the list-style-type CSS property to change the default bullet points.

<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
    <li>Square bullet</li>
    <li>Another square bullet</li>
</ul>

Common Values for list-style-type:

• disc (default): ●
• circle: ○
• square: ■
• none: Removes the bullets.

2. Customizing List Indentation

Use the padding or margin property to control spacing.

<ul style="padding-left: 30px;">
    <li>Indented list item</li>
    <li>Another indented item</li>
</ul>

Nested Unordered Lists

Lists can be nested to create hierarchies.

<ul>
    <li>Main Item 1
        <ul>
            <li>Sub-item 1.1</li>
            <li>Sub-item 1.2</li>
        </ul>
    </li>
    <li>Main Item 2</li>
</ul>

Output:

• Main Item 1
  • Sub-item 1.1
  • Sub-item 1.2
• Main Item 2

Removing List Markers

If you want a list without bullets, use the list-style-type: none; property.

<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
    <li>No bullet point here</li>
    <li>Another item without a bullet</li>
</ul>

Accessibility Tips

1. Use semantic <ul> tags to help screen readers and other assistive technologies.
2. Avoid hiding bullets unless the design demands it.
3. Keep nesting simple to maintain readability.

Real-Life Applications

• Website Menus:

<ul>
    <li>Home</li>
    <li>About</li>
    <li>Contact</li>
</ul>

• Feature Lists:

<ul>
    <li>Easy to use</li>
    <li>Responsive design</li>
    <li>Free updates</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

Unordered lists are versatile elements that enhance the structure and readability of your content. By learning to style and use them effectively, you can create user-friendly and visually appealing web pages.

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