References

Beginner-friendly references for web development, with live, editable examples.

The HTML <param> tag

Element Updated
Quick answer

The <param> element is obsolete. It passed named parameters to a plugin-based <object> (Flash, Java applets). Since browser plugins were removed, it has no effect — use modern <video>, <audio> or <iframe> embeds instead.

Overview

The <param> element once supplied configuration parameters to an <object> in the era of browser plugins such as Flash and Java applets.

With plugins long gone from the web, <param> is now obsolete and does nothing in modern browsers. It is documented here only so you can recognize it in legacy code.

Embed media and external content with the purpose-built modern elements instead: <video> and <audio> for media, and <iframe> for embedded pages, each configured through its own attributes.

Syntax

<!-- Obsolete: do not use <param>. Use <video>, <audio> or <iframe>. -->

Best practices

  • Do not use <param> — it is obsolete and has no effect in modern browsers.
  • Embed media with <video> and <audio>.
  • Embed external pages with an <iframe>.
  • Configure modern embeds through their own attributes, not <param>.

Frequently asked questions

What was the param element for?
It passed configuration parameters to an <object> back when browsers ran plugins like Flash.
Is the param element still used?
No. With browser plugins gone, it is obsolete and does nothing in modern browsers.
Is the param element obsolete?
Yes. It has been removed from the modern HTML standard.
What should I use instead of param?
Use <video>/<audio> for media and an <iframe> for embedded pages.
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