<a>

Syntax

<a href="url">Link Text</a>

Examples

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

<!-- Internal page -->
<a href="/about.html">About Us</a>

<!-- Email link -->
<a href="mailto:info@example.com">Send Email</a>

<!-- Phone link -->
<a href="tel:+1234567890">Call Us</a>

<!-- Opens in new tab -->
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">New Tab</a>

<!-- Opens in same tab (default) -->
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_self">Same Tab</a>

<!-- With security attributes -->
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Secure External Link</a>

<!-- Navigation menu -->
<nav>
  <a href="#section1">Section 1</a>
  <a href="#section2">Section 2</a>
  <a href="#section3">Section 3</a>
</nav>

<!-- Target sections -->
<section id="section1">
  <h2>Section 1</h2>
  <p>Content here...</p>
  <a href="#top">Back to Top</a>
</section>

<a href="/signup" style="display: inline-block; background: #007bff; color: white; padding: 12px 24px; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 6px; font-weight: bold;">Sign Up Now</a>

<a href="/learn-more" style="display: inline-block; background: transparent; color: #007bff; padding: 12px 24px; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #007bff; border-radius: 6px; font-weight: bold;">Learn More</a>

Attributes

• href (URL): Specifies the destination URL or anchor
• target (string): Where to open the link (_blank, _self, _parent, _top)
• rel (string): Relationship between current and linked document
• download (string): Prompts download instead of navigation
• title (string): Tooltip text shown on hover

Best practices

• Always use descriptive link text - avoid "click here" or "read more" without context
• Add rel="noopener noreferrer" when using target="_blank" for security
• Use meaningful title attributes to provide additional context for users
• Ensure links have sufficient color contrast and are distinguishable from regular text
• Test keyboard navigation - links should be accessible via Tab key
• Consider adding visual indicators for external links or downloads

Browser compatibility

Related HTML documentation

Specifications & further reading

• HTML Living Standard