What are the differences between using a text block and a paragraph in a Webflow website?
TL;DR
- Use Paragraph for semantically correct, styled paragraphs with default margins, best for readable content and SEO.
- Use Text Block for flexible formatting of short or custom-positioned text without semantic meaning or default spacing.
Webflow provides both Text Block and Paragraph elements for placing text, but they differ in functionality and default styling. Here's how they compare:
1. Purpose and Semantic Meaning
- Paragraph is semantically equivalent to the HTML
<p>tag, which is used for paragraphs of text. - Text Block uses a
<div>or other general text container without semantic paragraph meaning.
2. Styling and Behavior
- Paragraph comes with default browser margins (top and bottom spacing), matching how browsers usually render paragraphs.
- Text Block has no default spacing—it behaves like a standard element that you can style freely without any automatic margins.
3. Use Cases
- Use a Paragraph when you want structured, readable content, like articles, blog posts, or descriptive sections.
- Use a Text Block when you need more flexible control over positioning, or when the text doesn’t represent a traditional paragraph (e.g., a simple label or heading alternative).
4. HTML Output
- A Paragraph renders as a
<p>element in the final HTML. - A Text Block usually outputs as a
<div>or<span>depending on its use (unless manually changed via custom code).
5. Accessibility & SEO
- Paragraphs provide better semantic structure, which helps screen readers and search engines understand your content hierarchy.
- Text Blocks lack semantic value unless styled or formatted carefully with accessibility in mind.
Summary
Use a Paragraph element for actual paragraphs of content due to its semantic meaning and default formatting. Use a Text Block when you need a flexible container for short text snippets or custom layouts without default spacing behavior.