HTML File Paths

A file path describes the location of a file in a web site's folder structure. The File can be images, CSS Style Sheets, Videos, JavaScript etc.

File Path Examples

Path	Description
<img src="picture.jpg">	The "picture.jpg" file is located in the same folder as the current page
<img src="images/picture.jpg">	The "picture.jpg" file is located in the images folder in the current folder
<img src="/images/picture.jpg">	The "picture.jpg" file is located in the images folder at the root of the current web
<img src="../picture.jpg">	The "picture.jpg" file is located in the folder one level up from the current folder

Folder Structure

• pinfinity.plusssmiley.com is the root folder of this web page.
• html-file-paths.html is the file we are viewing here.
• It is located in the folder named 08.
• The folder named 08 is in the folder named 2022.
• The folder named 2022 is in the root folder of this web page.

HTML File Paths

A file path describes the location of a file in a web site's folder structure.

File paths are used when linking to external files, like:

• Web pages
• Images
• Style sheets
• JavaScript
• Videos
• Audio etc.

Absolute File Paths

An absolute file path is the full URL to a file:

Example

<img src="https://pinfinitys.com/images/keyboard.jpg" alt="Keyboard"/>

Relative File Paths

A relative file path points to a file relative to the current page.

In the following example, the file path points to a file in the images folder located at the root of the current web:

Example

<img src="/images/keyboard.jpg" alt="Keyboard"/>

In the following example, the file path points to a file in the images folder located in the current folder:

Example

<img src="images/keyboard.jpg" alt="Keyboard"/>

In the following example, the file path points to a file in the images folder located in the folder one level up from the current folder:

Example

<img src="../images/keyboard.jpg" alt="Keyboard"/>

Use Relative Paths

It is best practice to use relative file paths (if possible).

When using relative file paths, your web pages will not be bound to your current base URL. All links will work on your own computer (localhost) as well as on your current public domain and your future public domains.

If you change the base URL of your web page, you don't have to change the image URL, as it is located at the same place, Only the base URL Changed