What does the width attribute in the image tag determine?

The width attribute in the image tag specifies the visible width of the image displayed in a web browser. By setting this attribute, you can control how the image appears on the webpage without altering the image file itself or its dimensions. This allows for responsive design, where images can be resized to fit various screen sizes or layouts without needing multiple versions of the image file.

Using the width attribute effectively enhances user experience by ensuring that images integrate smoothly into the overall design, maintaining readability and visual appeal. Additionally, it helps optimize loading times by instructing the browser on how much space to reserve for the image during the rendering process. Understanding the function of this attribute is essential for web developers aiming to create polished and well-structured websites.