footer

A footer is the section at the bottom of a page or screen that provides supplementary information or navigational aids. In print, it appears along the bottom margin of pages; in digital interfaces it is a defined area near the bottom of the view. Footers are distinct from headers, which appear at the top.

In printed documents, the footer commonly includes page numbers, publication year, author or chapter names, and copyright notices. It may also carry running titles or other edition information. The exact content and placement are guided by style guides and the purpose of the work.

In web design, the footer is a dedicated page region that often contains legal notices, contact details, links to terms of service and privacy policy, site navigation, and social media icons. It is usually present on all pages, and good practice emphasizes concise content, clear labeling, and accessibility. Semantically, the HTML5 footer element is used to mark this region, aiding assistive technologies and search engines.

In document creation and desktop publishing, footers can be customized to vary by section or by page. They may also be configured to differ on first pages or on odd and even pages in double-sided layouts. This flexibility helps manage repetitive information such as chapter indicators, publication data, and page numbering while maintaining consistent formatting and readability.

Overall, the footer serves as a predictable repository for ancillary information, aiding navigation, legal compliance, and document or site branding without interrupting the main content.