HTML <a> tag
Example
A link to W3Schools.com:
<a href="http://www.w3schools.com">Visit W3Schools.com!</a>
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Try it yourself! (more examples at the bottom of this page)
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Definition and Usage
The <a> tag defines an anchor. An anchor can be used in two ways:
- To create a link to another document, by using the href attribute
- To create a bookmark inside a document, by using the name attribute
The a element is usually referred to as a link or a hyperlink.
The most important attribute of the a element is the href attribute, which
indicates the link’s destination.
By default, links will appear as follows in all browsers:
- An unvisited link is underlined and blue
- A visited link is underlined and purple
- An active link is underlined and red
Browser Support
The <a> tag is supported in all major browsers.
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
NONE
Tips and Notes
Tip: Use CSS to style links!
Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which DTD the attribute is
allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
charset |
char_encoding |
Specifies the character encoding of the target URL |
STF |
coords |
coordinates |
Used with the shape attribute to specify the size, shape,
and placement of a link in an object or img element |
STF |
href |
URL |
Specifies the target URL of the link |
STF |
hreflang |
language_code |
Specifies the language of the document in the target URL |
STF |
name |
section_name |
Defines an anchor (use this attribute to create a bookmark in
a document) |
STF |
rel |
alternate
stylesheet
start
next
prev
contents
index
glossary
copyright
chapter
section
subsection
appendix
help
bookmark |
Specifies the relationship between the current document and the target URL |
STF |
rev |
alternate
stylesheet
start
next
prev
contents
index
glossary
copyright
chapter
section
subsection
appendix
help
bookmark |
Specifies the relationship between the target URL and the current document |
STF |
shape |
rect
rectangle
circ
circle
poly
polygon |
Defines the shape of a link |
STF |
target |
_blank
_parent
_self
_top
framename |
Specifies where to open the target URL
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TF |
type |
mime_type |
Specifies the MIME type of the target URL |
STF |
Standard Attributes
id, class, title, style, dir, lang, xml:lang, tabindex, accesskey |
For a full description, go to Standard
Attributes.
Event Attributes
onfocus, onblur, onclick, ondblclick, onmousedown, onmouseup, onmouseover, onmousemove, onmouseout, onkeypress, onkeydown,
onkeyup |
For a full description, go to Event Attributes.
Try-It-Yourself Demos
Create hyperlinks
How to create hyperlinks.
An image as a link
How to use an image as a link.
Open a link in a new browser window
How to open a link in a new browser window, so that the visitor does not have to leave your Web site.
Link to a location on the same page
How to link to a bookmark.
Break out of a frame
How to break out of a frame (if your site is locked in a frame).
Create a mailto link
How to link to a mail message (will only work if you have mail installed).
Create a mailto link 2
Another mailto link.
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