---
title: "prefetch · Link relation · zhead"
canonical_url: "https://zhead.dev/link/prefetch"
last_updated: "2026-08-10T16:29:02.450Z"
meta:
  description: "Suggests fetching and caching a resource that is likely to be needed by a later navigation."
  "og:description": "Suggests fetching and caching a resource that is likely to be needed by a later navigation."
  "og:title": "prefetch · Link relation · zhead"
---

Link

# prefetch

Suggests fetching and caching a resource that is likely to be needed by a later navigation.

## Code examples

Good example

```
<link rel="prefetch" href="/checkout">
```

Suggests fetching a page that is likely to be the next navigation.

Avoid this example

```
<link rel="prefetch" href="/critical-current-page.css">
```

Uses a next-navigation hint for a resource required by the current page.

## Recommendations

- 01 Prefetch likely next-step resources A wrong prediction wastes data and can compete with current page work. Use evidence from common navigation paths rather than guessing broadly.
- 02 Use preload for the current page Prefetch targets a later navigation. A resource needed by the current page may instead need preload or its normal loading element.
- 03 Expect browser discretion Prefetch is a hint. The browser can delay or ignore it based on network conditions, user settings, or resource policy.

## Related documentation

- [HTML Living Standard: Links](https://html.spec.whatwg.org/multipage/links.html#link-type-prefetch)