What is the bare minimum styling for a <a href=""> element

Question

After years of using the <a> tag I've never found an answer to a long-asked question.

To crack down on the stylings of a <a> tag I usually apply four styles:

.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;}

Because as most of you probably know, browsers tend to apply a default underline and royal blue colour to links.

When I say What is the bare minimum styling for a element is there a way I don't have to apply all of these styles? Will the :hover, :active and :visited inherit the :link style? and is it compatible across all browsers?

P.S.

I know that the above is the same as

.element:link, .element:hover, .element:active, .element:visited{text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}

So please don't answer with that (:

Answer 1

The bare minimum is no styling at all -- so that the browser will automatically apply its default styles.

The usual default is indeed royal blue for link, red or purple for visited, and nothing in particular for the rest.

Answer 2

Answered because @Rob said I should put it here

a.element{} 

or

.element {}

Answer 3

You just use

.element {text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}

and that's it.
If you want to additionally style :hover or :active state, you do it after .element {}
If you want it to apply to all your links, you can use

a {text-decoration:none;color:#CCC;}