What is the Reference Point for Relative URLs in CSS?

Relative URLs in CSS: Determining the Reference Point

When utilizing relative URLs within CSS files to specify resources like background images, it becomes crucial to understand the reference point of such URLs. Consider a scenario where the following CSS rule is defined:

div#header {
  background-image: url('images/header-background.jpg');
}

This rule is included in the file "/stylesheets/base-styles.css." When this stylesheet is linked to various documents through , where will the relative URL in the CSS be interpreted relative to?

The Answer: Relative to the Stylesheet Document

According to specifications established by the W3C, partial URLs specified in CSS files are interpreted relative to the source of the stylesheet, not the document it is included within. Therefore, in the aforementioned example, the relative URL will be interpreted in relation to "/stylesheets/" rather than the current document it is included in.

This approach ensures consistency and reliability since the CSS file may be included in pages located in different directories. By standardizing the reference point to the CSS file itself, the URLs will function seamlessly regardless of the document's location or path.

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