Syntax
<base href="https://example.com/" target="_blank">Examples
Base URL
Setting a base so relative links resolve consistently.
<head>
<base href="https://codectionary.com/docs/">
</head>
<body>
<a href="html">HTML Docs</a>
<!-- resolves to https://codectionary.com/docs/html -->
</body>Base Target
Making every link on the page open in a new tab by default.
<head>
<base target="_blank">
</head>
<body>
<a href="https://example.com">Opens in new tab</a>
</body>Combined href and target
Setting both a base URL and default target together.
<base href="https://cdn.example.com/assets/" target="_self">Attributes
- href (URL): The base URL for all relative URLs in the document
- target (_blank | _self | _parent | _top): The default target for all links and forms
Best practices
- Use at most one <base> element per document, placed early inside <head>
- Be careful with base href — it affects every relative URL on the page, including images and scripts, not just links
- Prefer explicit absolute or relative paths over relying on base href for most projects, since it can cause confusing bugs when forgotten
- Remember individual links can still override a base target with their own target attribute
Browser compatibility
Support applies to the named feature, not every attribute or behaviour in this article. Versions refer to browsers, not operating systems.
<base>
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
From 3 - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 2 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1
Safari
- From 3
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- From 2
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
<base> href
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
From 3 - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 2 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1
Safari
- From 3
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- From 2
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
<base> target
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
From 3 - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
From 2 - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1
Safari
- From 3
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- From 2
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
MDN BCD 8.1.5 · Dataset built 2026-10-08 · Mapping reviewed 2026-10-21. These dates are not individual browser-test or claim-verification dates. Unknown means the data does not establish support.