title: What is the bare minimum styling for a <a href=""> element
body: <p>After years of using the <code>&lt;a&gt;</code> tag I've never found an answer to a long-asked question.</p>
  
  <p>To crack down on the stylings of a <code>&lt;a&gt;</code> tag I usually apply four styles:</p>
  
  <pre><code>.element:link{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
  .element:hover{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
  .element:active{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
  .element:visited{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Because as most of you probably know, browsers tend to apply a default underline and royal blue colour to links.</p>
  
  <p>When I say <strong>What is the bare minimum styling for a  element</strong> is there a way I don't have to apply all of these styles? Will the <code>:hover</code>, <code>:active</code> and <code>:visited</code> inherit the <code>:link</code> style? and is it compatible across all browsers?</p>
  
  <p>P.S.</p>
  
  <p>I know that the above is the same as</p>
  
  <pre><code>.element:link, .element:hover, .element:active, .element:visited{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>So please don't answer with that (:</p>