What goes in HTML head <title> tag?

jcsalomon · 05-19-2016, 12:48 PM

In various EPUB files I’ve encountered, the <title> tag sometimes has the book title, sometimes has a page-specific title (e.g., “Contents”, “Chapter 13”), and sometimes is empty. Are there any circumstances (format conversions, specialized readers) where this matters, and what works best?

jackie_w · 05-19-2016, 12:56 PM

I think it matters that <title></title> be present but I don't think it matters what you put between the start and end tags - as long as it's legal html text.

Turtle91 · 05-19-2016, 02:42 PM

On a browser the text in the <title> usually appears at the top of the window. So having different text for each chapter would make sense. I don't know if there are ANY ePub readers/apps that use that info to display at the top of each screen?? I just use the title of the book in the <title> of each and every html file in the epub.

Notjohn · 05-22-2016, 05:46 AM

I am reasonably sure that Kindle devices and apps ignore it altogether. What appears on the Kindle "page" is the book's title as it was entered on the Book Details page as one builds the e-book on the KDP platform (also called the metadata).

fbrzvnrnd · 05-23-2016, 02:45 AM

The title tag in head is a title for the "file", not chapter or ebook. It can be used for personal purpose. IMHO ebook readers do not have to use it, 'cause it is outside the IPDF rules.

Skeezix · 07-12-2016, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I think it matters that <title></title> be present but I don't think it matters what you put between the start and end tags - as long as it's legal html text.

At least according to epubcheck, it doesn't even need to have content, it just needs to be present. I just put <title/> in there and leave it at that.

05-19-2016, 12:48 PM	#1
jcsalomon Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 1204 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Bookari (née Mantano Reader) on Android; Kindle Fire HD	What goes in HTML head <title> tag? In various EPUB files I’ve encountered, the <title> tag sometimes has the book title, sometimes has a page-specific title (e.g., “Contents”, “Chapter 13”), and sometimes is empty. Are there any circumstances (format conversions, specialized readers) where this matters, and what works best?

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05-19-2016, 12:56 PM	#2
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,212 Karma: 16534894 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: Kobo: KA1, ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E. PocketBook: TouchHD3	I think it matters that <title></title> be present but I don't think it matters what you put between the start and end tags - as long as it's legal html text.

05-19-2016, 02:42 PM	#3
Turtle91 A Hairy Wizard Posts: 3,094 Karma: 18727053 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Charleston, SC today Device: iPhone 11/X/6/iPad 1,2,Air & Air Pro/Surface Pro/Kindle PW & Fire	On a browser the text in the <title> usually appears at the top of the window. So having different text for each chapter would make sense. I don't know if there are ANY ePub readers/apps that use that info to display at the top of each screen?? I just use the title of the book in the <title> of each and every html file in the epub.

05-22-2016, 05:46 AM	#4
Notjohn mostly an observer Posts: 1,515 Karma: 987654 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: Kindle	I am reasonably sure that Kindle devices and apps ignore it altogether. What appears on the Kindle "page" is the book's title as it was entered on the Book Details page as one builds the e-book on the KDP platform (also called the metadata).

05-23-2016, 02:45 AM	#5
fbrzvnrnd Fanatic Posts: 554 Karma: 400004 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: ONYX M96	The title tag in head is a title for the "file", not chapter or ebook. It can be used for personal purpose. IMHO ebook readers do not have to use it, 'cause it is outside the IPDF rules.

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