The frameset tag was used instead of <body> in older versions of HTML to divide the browser window into multiple resizable sections (called frames). Each section would load a separate HTML document using the <frame> tag.
🔥 Deprecated in HTML5. Modern websites should use CSS layout techniques like Flexbox, Grid, or
<iframe>.
✅ Basic (Legacy) Syntax
<frameset cols="30%,70%">
<frame src="menu.html">
<frame src="main.html">
</frameset>
This divides the window into two vertical frames:
- Left (30% width):
menu.html - Right (70% width):
main.html
📐 Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
cols | Defines columns (e.g., "25%,75%") |
rows | Defines rows (e.g., "100px,*") |
🧩 Example: Rows and Columns
<frameset rows="50%,50%">
<frame src="top.html">
<frameset cols="50%,50%">
<frame src="bottom-left.html">
<frame src="bottom-right.html">
</frameset>
</frameset>
This creates:
- A top half frame
- A bottom half split into two columns
❌ Why It’s Deprecated
- Poor accessibility and usability
- Breaks bookmarking and navigation history
- Doesn’t work well with search engines
- Incompatible with responsive design
- Obsolete in modern browsers and HTML5
✅ Modern Replacement
Use CSS layout systems like:
- Flexbox
- CSS Grid
<iframe>for embedding external content
✅ Example using <iframe>:
<div style="display: flex;">
<iframe src="menu.html" width="30%"></iframe>
<iframe src="main.html" width="70%"></iframe>
</div>
✅ Summary
| Tag | <frameset> |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Divide browser window into frames |
| Used with | <frame> |
| Status | ❌ Deprecated in HTML5 |
| Modern Use | ❌ Not supported in new HTML projects |
| Replacement | ✅ CSS + <iframe> |