How to Convert HTML to XHTML

How To GuidesJanuary 20, 20252,408 viewsBy Admin

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Converting HTML to XHTML

To convert HTML to valid XHTML, you must make the markup XML-compliant. Here's the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Update the Doctype

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
  "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">

Step 2: Lowercase All Tags & Attributes

<BODY> → <body>
<A HREF> → <a href>

Step 3: Close Every Tag

<br>  → <br />
<img> → <img ... />
<li>item → <li>item</li>

Step 4: Quote All Attributes

<td width=50> → <td width="50">

Step 5: Validate

Run your page through the W3C Validator to catch any remaining errors.

FAQs

Are there automated tools?

HTML Tidy can auto-convert and clean up markup. More in our XHTML section.

Is conversion worth it today?

Usually not — migrating to HTML5 is the better modern choice.