HTML Frames and Frameset: Legacy Syntax and Modern Alternatives

Legacy HTML: <frame>, <frameset> and <noframes> are obsolete. Keep this page for understanding old websites; do not build a new site with framesets.

Classic HTML frames divided the browser window into independent documents. A <frameset> replaced the normal page <body>, and each <frame> loaded a separate document.

Historical frameset example Top ↑

<frameset cols="30%,70%">
  <frame src="navigation.html">
  <frame src="content.html">
</frameset>

The historical cols attribute split the viewport into columns. The rows attribute split it into rows. Values could use pixels, percentages, and * for remaining space.

Historical frame attributes Top ↑

src selected the document loaded into a frame.
name allowed links to target a particular frame.
noresize prevented users from resizing a frameset boundary.
scrolling controlled old frame scrollbars.
marginwidth and marginheight set internal margins.
frameborder controlled the visible frame border.

Why framesets are no longer used Top ↑

Framesets split one browser view into multiple independent documents, which created problems with accessibility, navigation, deep linking, printing, responsive layouts and predictable browser history. Modern pages instead keep the site structure in one document and use CSS for layout.

Modern alternatives Top ↑

Use normal semantic HTML with CSS Grid or Flexbox for page layout. If one external page genuinely needs to be embedded inside another, use <iframe> rather than a frameset.

<main class="layout">
  <nav>...</nav>
  <article>...</article>
</main>

See modern HTML page layout for a current structure.

Frame borders Frame resizing Frame scrolling Nested framesets NoFrames

Frequently Asked Questions Top ↑

Are HTML frames still valid for new websites?
No. The classic <frame> and <frameset> elements are obsolete.

Is an iframe the same as a frameset?
No. An iframe embeds one document inside a normal page body; a frameset historically replaced the body and divided the whole window into frames.

What should replace a frameset layout?
Use semantic HTML plus CSS Grid or Flexbox.

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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Nest	24-07-2010
nice tutorial... i have a question, what is html code used to positioning table to the middle of page? answer please...

HTML Frames and <frameset>: Legacy Reference