ExampleLink to an external style sheet: <head> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="styles.css" /> </head> | Browser Support |
1. 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.
2. Tips and Notes
Note: The <link> element must be embedded in the head section, but it can appear any number of times.
3. Differences Between HTML and XHTML
In HTML the <link> tag has no end tag.
In XHTML the <link> tag must be properly closed.
4. 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 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 |
5. 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 |
6. 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 |
