HTML <link> Tag

Example

Link to an external style sheet:

<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../../colorss.css" />
</head>
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Definition and Usage

The <link> tag defines the relationship between a document and an external resource.

The <link> tag is most used to link to style sheets.

Browser Support

When used for style sheets, the <link> tag is supported in all major browsers. No real support for anything else.

Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In HTML the <link> tag has no end tag.

In XHTML the <link> tag must be properly closed.

Tips and Notes

Note: The link element must be embedded in the head section, and it can appear any number of times.

Optional Attributes

DTD indicates in which HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0 DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.

Attribute Value Description DTD
charset char_encoding Specifies the character encoding of the linked document STF
href URL Specifies the location of the linked document STF
hreflang language_code Specifies the language of the text in the linked document STF
media screen
tty
tv
projection
handheld
print
braille
aural
all 		Specifies on what device the linked document will be displayed
 STF
rel alternate
appendix
bookmark
chapter
contents
copyright
glossary
help
home
index
next
prev
section
start
stylesheet
subsection 		Specifies the relationship between the current document and the linked document STF
rev alternate
appendix
bookmark
chapter
contents
copyright
glossary
help
home
index
next
prev
section
start
stylesheet
subsection 		Specifies the relationship between the linked document and the current document STF
target _blank
_self
_top
_parent
frame_name		 Specifies where the linked document is to be loaded TF
type MIME_type Specifies the MIME type of the linked document STF

Standard Attributes

The <link> tag supports the following standard attributes:

Attribute Value Description DTD
class classname Specifies a classname for an element STF
dir rtl
ltr		 Specifies the text direction for the content in an element STF
id id Specifies a unique id for an element STF
lang language_code Specifies a language code for the content in an element STF
style style_definition Specifies an inline style for an element STF
title text Specifies extra information about an element STF
xml:lang language_code Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in XHTML documents STF

More information about Standard Attributes.

Event Attributes

According to the W3C standard, the <link> tag supports event attributes. However, since the link element is located in the head section, we cannot see any use for this.

Attribute Value Description DTD
onclick script Script to be run on a mouse click STF
ondblclick script Script to be run on a mouse double-click STF
onmousedown script Script to be run when mouse button is pressed STF
onmousemove script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves STF
onmouseout script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an element STF
onmouseover script Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an element STF
onmouseup script Script to be run when mouse button is released STF
onkeydown script Script to be run when a key is pressed STF
onkeypress script Script to be run when a key is pressed and released STF
onkeyup script Script to be run when a key is released STF

More information about Event Attributes.

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