ExampleLink to an external style sheet: | 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 |