HTML <a>
Tag
Example
Link to tutorialpro.org:
<a href="https://www.tutorialpro.org">Visit tutorialpro.org!</a>
Browser Support
All major browsers support the <a>
tag.
Tag Definition and Usage
The <a>
tag defines a hyperlink, which is used to link from one page to another.
The most important attribute of the <a>
element is the href
attribute, which indicates the link's destination.
The default appearance of links in all browsers is:
- An unvisited link is underlined and blue
- A visited link is underlined and purple
- An active link is underlined and red
Tips and Notes
Tip: If the href
attribute is not present, the <a>
tag is not a hyperlink.
Tip: By default, the linked page is displayed in the current browser window. Unless you specify another target.
Tip: Use CSS to style 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 merely a placeholder for a hyperlink.
HTML5 has some new attributes and does not support some HTML 4.01 attributes.
Attributes
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. |
download New | filename | Specifies that the target will be downloaded when a user clicks on the hyperlink. |
href | URL | Specifies the URL of the page the link goes to. |
hreflang | language_code | Specifies the language of the linked document. Used only if the href attribute is present. |
media New | media_query | Specifies what media/device the linked document is optimized for. Default value: all. Used only if the href attribute is present. |
name | section_name | Not supported in HTML5. Specifies the name of an anchor. |
rel | alternate <br>author <br>bookmark <br>help <br>license <br>next <br>nofollow <br>noreferrer <br>prefetch <br>prev <br>search <br>tag | Specifies the relationship between the current document and the linked document. Used only if the href attribute is present. |
rev | text | Not supported in HTML5. Specifies the relationship between the linked document and the current document. |
shape | default <br>rect <br>circle <br>poly | Not supported in HTML5. Specifies the shape of a link. |
target | _blank <br>_parent <br>_self <br>_top <br> framename | Specifies where to open the linked document. Used only if the href attribute is present. _blank: Opens the linked document in a new window or tab. <br>_parent: Opens the linked document in the parent frame. <br>_self: Opens the linked document in the same frame as it was clicked (this is default). <br>_top: Opens the linked document in the full body of the window. |
type New | MIME_type | Specifies the MIME type of the linked document. Used only if the href attribute is present. <br>Note: MIME = Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. |
Global Attributes
The <a>
tag supports HTML's global attributes.
Event Attributes
The <a>
tag supports HTML's event attributes.
Try It Yourself - Examples
Create a Hyperlink Link an Image
Open Link in New Browser Window
Jump to Different Parts of the Same Page Using Anchors
Related Articles
HTML Tutorial: HTML Links
HTML DOM Reference: Anchor Object