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<embed> element

The <embed> element embeds external content at a specified point in the document. This content is provided by an external application or other source of interactive content such as a browser plugin. It is a void element (self-closing) that was historically used for Flash and other plugins, but now is primarily used for embedding PDFs or SVG content.

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Syntax | Attributes | Examples | When to Use | Related Elements

This page was last updated on 2025-11-17

Syntax

The <embed> element is a void element:

Key Attributes

src — The URL of the resource being embedded.
type — The MIME type of the embedded content. Helps the browser determine how to handle the content.
width — The display width of the embedded content in pixels.
height — The display height of the embedded content in pixels.

Any other attributes with non-empty values are passed to the plugin or external application as parameters.

Examples

Embedding a PDF Document

Most modern browsers have built-in PDF viewers that will display the document inline.

Embedding an SVG File

Embedding SVG files allows them to be interactive and styled independently of the main document.

Embedding External Content

While possible, using <iframe> is generally preferred for embedding HTML content.

When to Use

Modern Usage:

Embedding PDF documents for inline viewing
Displaying SVG graphics that need to maintain their own document structure
Integrating content that requires external handlers

Limitations and Considerations:

No fallback content — if the browser cannot display the content, nothing appears
Limited accessibility support compared to native HTML elements
Security concerns when embedding content from untrusted sources
Browser support and behavior can vary
Consider using <object> instead, which supports fallback content

Alternatives to Consider: