which tag?

[chiprivers]

When I first learnt HTML (self taught) I would use the <font></font> tags with styling properties to alter the appearance of text in the middle of a block of text. 

A little while ago, I recall reading that the <font> tag was redundant and I think it said I should be using the <label> tag in its replacement.

Now, whilst trying to learn a bit more about CSS I have read that the <span> tag may be the correct thing to use in this situation.  I appreciate that all of these options will do the same thing, but I would like to try and keep my coding to a recommended standard, please could anybody advise the correct tag to use, it may be a different one altogether.

[AndyB]

The font tag is deprecated (not supported with later/future versions of html).

The label tag has nothing to do with how text is displayed.

The span tag can be used to apply a style to text enclosed in it.

[ToonMariner]

labels are for form elements ie.

<label for="username">Username:</label><input type="text" name="username" />

good practice and helps screen readers out a boat load

[richei]

You don't need a tag persay to have text looking a certain way.  You can use css to do that, either from a css sheet or using the style key (style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: #000000;" etc.)  Most programs now will show you the key that you're looking for or enable you to edit them in place.