# HTML

HTML is the structure of a web page and CSS is its finish, the way a house has framing and paint, and good CSS needs solid HTML underneath it.

Novice · HTML · CSS · Updated October 29, 2026

## After this lesson you can

- Tell whether a part of a web page is HTML's job (structure and content) or CSS's job (how it looks)

## Key takeaways

- HTML gives a page its structure and content, like the foundation and framing of a house.
- CSS gives a page its look, like the paint and finishing carpentry of a house.
- Build solid HTML first. CSS can only make a page beautiful when the structure under it is sound.

I like to think of building a web page like building a house. A good house must have a solid structure: a foundation, framed walls, a roof, floors, and stairs.

![A house under construction with only its frame up: the structure comes first, like HTML](https://fsdtrainingmedia.blob.core.windows.net/public/images/2026/09/b3bbaa14ed364e8485421928bdc20a99.jpg)

A solid foundation and framing are essential to building a house that will last. After the house is framed, and the electrical, plumbing and walls are completed, it's time for painting and finishing carpentry.

![A finished living room with paint, furniture and decoration: the finish that goes on last, like CSS](https://fsdtrainingmedia.blob.core.windows.net/public/images/2026/09/4526072546684e98a6c29ab035b9e8e1.jpg)

**HTML** is like the concrete foundation and framing of your page, and **CSS** is like the finishing carpentry of the site.

Just like it is impossible to have beautiful finish work in a house without a solid foundation, it is critical to also have a solid HTML foundation for your website that CSS can build on to create a beautiful design.

## Check yourself

2 questions to try on the lesson page.

## So what

Every web page you build has both halves: get the HTML structure right first, and the CSS has something solid to dress up.

## Key terms

- [HTML](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/html-html)
- [CSS](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/css)

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/lessons/html-and-css-overview-html