HTML <a>Tag


Examples

Link to Example:

<a href="https://www.example.com">Visit Example!</a>

Try it Yourself »
(More examples at the bottom of the page)

Browser Support

Element
<a> Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

All major browsers support the <a> tag.

Definition and Usage

The <a> tag defines a hyperlink, used to link from one page to another.

The most important attribute of the <a> element is the href attribute, which specifies the link's destination.

In all browsers, the default appearance of links is as follows:

  • Unvisited links are underlined and blue
  • Visited links are underlined and purple
  • Active links are underlined and red

Tips and Notes

Tip:If the href attribute is not used, the hreflang, media, rel, target, and type attributes cannot be used.

Tip:The linked page is usually displayed in the current browser window, unless another target is specified.

Tip:Please use CSS to change the style of links.

Differences between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

In HTML 4.01, the <a> tag could be either a hyperlink or an anchor. In HTML5, the <a> tag is a hyperlink, but if it has no href attribute, it is only a placeholder for a hyperlink.

HTML5 has some new attributes, and some HTML 4.01 attributes are no longer supported.

Attributes

New: New in HTML5.

Attribute Value Description
charset char_encoding Not supported in HTML5.Specifies the character encoding of the target URL.
coords coordinates Not supported in HTML5.Specifies the coordinates of the link.
downloadNew filename Specifies a download link.
href URL Specifies the target URL of the link.
hreflang language_code Specifies the base language of the target URL. Only used when the href attribute is present.
mediaNew media_query Specifies the media type of the target URL. Default value: all. Only used when the href attribute is present.
name section_name Not supported in HTML5.Specifies the name of an anchor.
rel alternate
author
bookmark
help
license
next
nofollow
noreferrer
prefetch
prev
search
tag		 Specifies the relationship between the current document and the target URL. Only used when the href attribute is present.
rev text Not supported in HTML5.Specifies the relationship between the target URL and the current document.
shape default
rect
circle
poly		 Not supported in HTML5.Specifies the shape of the link.
target _blank
_parent
_self
_top
framename

Specifies where to open the target URL. Only used when the href attribute is present.

  • _blank: Opens in a new window.
  • _parent: Opens the link in the parent window.
  • _self: Default, navigates in the current page.
  • _top: Opens the link in the current window, replacing the entire current window (frameset).
type New MIME_type Specifies the MIME type of the target URL. Only used when the href attribute is present.
Note: MIME = Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.

Global Attributes

The <a> tag supportsHTML Global Attributes。

Event Attributes

The <a> tag supportsHTML Event Attributes。

Examples

Try it Yourself - Examples

Create hyperlinks
This example demonstrates how to create links in an HTML document.

Use an image as a link
This example demonstrates how to use an image as a link.

Open a link in a new browser window
This example demonstrates how to open a page in a new window, so visitors don't have to leave your site.

Create an email link
This example demonstrates how to link to an email. (This example works only after an email client program is installed.)

Create an email link 2
This example demonstrates a more complex email link.

Use anchors to jump to different positions on the same page
This example demonstrates how to use the id attribute of an anchor to jump to different positions on a page (HTML5 does not support the name attribute).

Related Articles

HTML Tutorial:HTML Links

HTML DOM Reference:Anchor Object

Other Extensions