You may encounter <frameset> while maintaining an older website. It is a legacy HTML element, so the goal is to recognize it and replace it—not to start using it in new pages.
What the old element was for
Split a window into old frame regions. In older markup, developers sometimes mixed page appearance, browser plug-in behavior, and document structure in the same HTML file.
frameset replaced the body in old HTML rather than organizing modern content.
Use this modern alternative
A better modern choice is semantic page layout with CSS. This example focuses on the meaning of the replacement:
<main>
<h1>Website content</h1>
</main>Why the replacement is better
A frameset page prevents modern semantic layouts and complicates navigation and accessibility.
With modern markup, HTML describes the content, CSS controls presentation, and JavaScript is added only if the feature needs changing behavior.
Updating an older page
Find one use of <frameset> in the old source. Work out the meaning the author intended, replace it with the supported structure, and compare the result in your browser. Do not remove meaningful content while updating the markup.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Copying
<frameset>from an old tutorial into a new website. - Assuming a browser displaying obsolete markup means the markup is recommended.
- Replacing an old tag with something that changes its meaning rather than its appearance.
Key Takeaways
<frameset>is legacy markup, not a recommended new HTML feature.- Prefer semantic page layout with CSS.
- frameset replaced the body in old HTML rather than organizing modern content.