HTML Reference Manual

HTML Tag Reference

HTML: <base> Tag

The HTML <base> tag defines a base URL, which is used for all relative URLs in the HTML document. Only one <base> tag can be used in a document, and it must be defined within the <head> tag. The <base> tag should appear in the document before any relative URL is used. This tag is also commonly referred to as the <base> element.

Online Example

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

Example

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
　　<meta charset="UTF-8">
　　<title>HTML5　Base by www.oldtoolbag.com</title>
　　<base href="https://www.oldtoolbag.com/html/">
</head>
<body>
　　<h1>Heading　1</h1>
　　<a href="html-tutorial.html">HTML Tutorials</a>
</body>
</html>

Test it out ‹/›

Browser Compatibility

IEFirefoxOperaChromeSafari

All mainstream browsers support the <base> tag.

Definition and Usage

The <base> tag specifies a default URL or default target for all relative links on the page.

In a document, at most one <base> element can be used. The <base> tag must be within the <head> element.

Tips and Notes

The HTML <base> element is located within the <head> tag.
Only one <base> tag can be defined in a document. If there are multiple, only the first href and target value will be used.

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

HTML 4.01 with HTML5difference

None.

Differences between HTML and XHTML

In HTML, the <base> tag does not have a closing tag.

In XHTML, the <base> tag must be closed correctly.

Attribute

Attribute	Value	Description
href	URL	specifies the base target for relative URLs within the page. It can be an absolute URL or a relative URL. For example: href ="https://www.oldtoolbag.com/html/" href ="/html/" href ="html/"
target	_blank 　_parent 　_self 　_top framename	specifies the location where the linked resource is displayed. It can be one of the following values: _self, _blank, _parent, _top _self-means resources are loaded into the current frame or context _blank-means resources are loaded into a new window or context _parent-means resources are loaded into the parent frame or context _top-representing resources loaded into the entire original window

global attributes

The <base> tag supports Global Attributes of HTML.

Event Attributes

The <base> tag does not support any event attributes.

HTML DOM Reference Manual: Base Object

HTML: <basefont> Tag HTML: <b> Tag