Nested HTML Framesets: Legacy Reference

A nested frameset placed one <frameset> inside another so a browser window could be divided into a mixture of rows and columns.

Historical nested frameset example Top ↑

<frameset rows="20%,80%">
  <frame src="header.html">
  <frameset cols="25%,75%">
    <frame src="navigation.html">
    <frame src="content.html">
  </frameset>
</frameset>

Modern replacement Top ↑

Build the header, navigation and main content as parts of one semantic document, then use CSS Grid or Flexbox for the visual arrangement. This gives the page one document structure, one URL and a predictable reading order.

<header>...</header>
<div class="layout">
  <nav>...</nav>
  <main>...</main>
</div>

Use an iframe only when one independent document genuinely needs to be embedded.

Frequently Asked Questions Top ↑

Can framesets still display in some browsers?
Legacy support may remain, but the elements are obsolete and are not suitable for new development.

What replaces nested framesets?
Usually one HTML document structured semantically and laid out with CSS Grid or Flexbox.

← Frames overview Modern layout →

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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