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<param> element

by Ross Shannon

The <param> element defines parameters for an <object> element. It is a void element (self-closing) that uses name-value pairs to configure embedded content. While less commonly used in modern web development due to the decline of plugins like Flash and Java applets, it remains valid HTML for configuring certain types of embedded content.

Clock This page was last updated on 2025-11-17


Syntax

The <param> element must be a child of an <object> element:

<object data="app.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash">
  <param name="quality" value="high">
  <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000">
</object>

Key Attributes

  • name (required) — The name of the parameter. This identifies what setting is being configured.
  • value (required) — The value of the parameter. The meaning depends on the specific parameter name and the object being configured.

The following attributes are obsolete:

  • type — Was used to specify MIME type when valuetype was ref
  • valuetype — Was used to specify value interpretation (data, ref, or object)

Examples

Configuring a PDF Viewer

<object
  data="document.pdf"
  type="application/pdf"
  width="800"
  height="600">
  <param name="view" value="FitH">
  <param name="toolbar" value="0">
  <param name="navpanes" value="0">
  <p>PDF viewer not available. <a href="document.pdf">Download PDF</a>.</p>
</object>

Parameters customize how the PDF is displayed, such as fit mode and toolbar visibility.

Historical Flash Example

<object
  data="animation.swf"
  type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
  width="640"
  height="480">
  <param name="quality" value="high">
  <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff">
  <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true">
  <param name="wmode" value="opaque">
  <p>Flash content no longer supported.</p>
</object>

Note: Flash is no longer supported in modern browsers. This example is for historical reference only.

SVG with Parameters

<object
  data="chart.svg"
  type="image/svg+xml"
  width="600"
  height="400">
  <param name="src" value="chart.svg">
  <img src="chart.png" alt="Chart fallback image">
</object>

When to Use

Modern Usage:

  • Configuring PDF viewer settings (zoom level, toolbar visibility)
  • Passing initialization parameters to embedded applications
  • Setting options for embedded interactive content

Declining Usage:

  • Flash content — No longer supported in browsers
  • Java applets — Removed from most browsers
  • ActiveX controls — Internet Explorer specific, deprecated

Important Considerations:

  • The <param> element only works inside <object> elements
  • Parameter names and values are specific to the type of content being embedded
  • Not all embedded content types support or recognize parameters
  • Browser support for specific parameters varies

Modern Alternatives:

  • For video playback options, use <video> attributes instead
  • For audio playback options, use <audio> attributes instead
  • For embedded web content, use <iframe> with URL parameters or JavaScript
  • For interactive content, consider using JavaScript APIs directly
  • <object> — Parent element that embeds external content
  • <embed> — Alternative for embedding content (uses attributes instead of param)
  • <iframe> — Embeds another HTML document