Tag <base> HTML Reference



Example

Specify a default URL and a default target for all links on a page:

<head>
<base href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank" />
</head>

<body>
<img src="image.gif" />
<a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a>
</body>

Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

1. Definition and Usage

The <base> tag specifies the base URL/target for all relative URLs in a document.

The <base> tag goes inside the <head> element.


2. Tips and Notes

Tip: Put the <base> tag as the first element inside the <head> element, so that other elements in the head section uses the information from the <base> element.

Note: If the <base> tag is present, it must have either an href attribute or a target attribute, or both.


3. Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

None


4. Differences Between HTML and XHTML

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

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


5. 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
href URL Specifies a base URL for all relative URLs on a page.

Note: The base URL must be an absolute URL!

STF
target _blank
_parent
_self
_top
framename
Specifies the default target for all hyperlinks and forms in the page TF

6. Standard Attributes

The <base> tag supports the Standard Attributes in HTML.


7. Event Attributes

The <base> tag also supports the Standard Event Attributes in HTML.


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