What do H1, H2 and H3 mean?
For a straightforward article, use an H1 for the main subject, H2 headings for the main sections and H3 headings for subsections within them. A subsection belongs to the section above it; it is not simply a smaller-looking title.
The W3C heading tutorial explains how headings communicate structure and support navigation, including for assistive technology. Choose levels for their meaning and use CSS to control appearance.
An example service-page outline
Imagine a home-cleaning business explaining a move-out service. Its outline could be:
- H1: Move-Out Cleaning in Petaling Jaya
- H2: What the service includes
- H3 within that section: Kitchen cleaning
- H3 within that section: Bathrooms and living areas
- H2: What to prepare before the visit
- H2: How to request a quote
The kitchen and bathroom headings are parts of the included work. The quotation process starts a new main section. This outline helps a reader find a practical answer without reading everything in order.
Write headings that name the content
“What to prepare before the visit” is clearer than “The next level” when the section explains customer preparation. Save expressive wording for places where it does not hide the meaning.
Do not repeat the same long service phrase in every heading. If the page subject is already clear, the next headings can identify specific questions. Each section should actually answer the heading that introduces it.
A heading can be a question when that is the natural way to frame the content. It does not need a question mark merely to look more suitable for search.
Is the H1 the same as the page title?
The H1 appears in the page content. The HTML title is separate metadata commonly shown in the browser tab. They can use similar wording while serving different parts of the experience.
Keep them consistent in meaning. A browser title promising a price list should not lead to an H1 about a general company introduction. See our page title guide for examples.
Review the outline before polishing the design
- Read only the headings from top to bottom.
- Check that the main subject is clear.
- Confirm each subsection belongs to its parent section.
- Replace vague headings with useful labels.
- Check the actual HTML levels, not just how large the text looks.
A bold paragraph is not automatically a semantic heading. Ask your developer to verify the structure if your editor makes the distinction unclear. Then review internal links to connect the explanation with relevant pages.