HTML <link> Tag
Example
Link to an external style sheet:
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="theme.css" />
</head> |
Try it yourself » |
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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