What is the primary use of external stylesheets?

The primary use of external stylesheets is to apply a consistent style across multiple pages. By linking an external stylesheet to various HTML documents, developers can ensure that all pages maintain the same design elements, such as fonts, colors, and layout structures. This not only promotes a uniform appearance across a website but also simplifies the process of making style changes; updating the external stylesheet automatically reflects changes in every linked HTML page. This consistency is essential for a cohesive user experience and can significantly improve the maintainability of the website's code.

Using external stylesheets also means that styles are kept separate from the HTML structure, reducing clutter and improving readability. This aspect facilitates easier collaboration and updates because designers can focus on the stylesheet without altering the HTML files directly. Therefore, the approach of using external stylesheets prioritizes consistency in styling while adhering to best practices in web development.