masthead

A masthead is the banner or top area of a publication that identifies the title and provides key information about the issue. In print media, it typically appears on the front page or title page and includes the publication’s logo or wordmark, the name of the publication, the date, issue number, and sometimes the price or edition. In magazines, the term "masthead" is closely linked to the nameplate, the stylized display of the magazine’s title.

Historically, the masthead also functioned as the definitive listing of who owned or produced the publication, including editors, publishers, and staff roles. In many newspapers and journals, the masthead remains a formal listing of ownership and management, even as the visual design emphasizes branding.

The masthead serves several purposes: it reinforces brand identity, helps readers verify authenticity, and provides navigational anchors in the print context. In some jurisdictions, ownership, management, and circulation details published in the masthead are required by law or regulation.

In digital formats, the masthead preserves these functions while adapting to interfaces. It appears as the site header that carries the logo, title, and sometimes the date or edition, and it may also include navigation menus, search, and account links. The concept is analogous across newspapers, magazines, and websites, though the specific content and emphasis vary by medium.

Some synonyms include nameplate and flag; in practice, "masthead" often connotes branding and official information rather than decorative elements alone.