HTML <a> Tag
Example
A link to W3Schools.com:
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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 HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0
DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| charset |
char_encoding |
Specifies the character-set of a linked document |
STF |
| coords |
coordinates |
Specifies the coordinates of a link |
STF |
| href |
URL |
Specifies the destination of a link |
STF |
| hreflang |
language_code |
Specifies the language of a linked document |
STF |
| name |
section_name |
Specifies the name of an anchor |
STF |
| rel |
text |
Specifies the relationship between the current document and the linked document |
STF |
| rev |
text |
Specifies the relationship between the linked document and the current document |
STF |
| shape |
default
rect
circle
poly |
Specifies the shape of a link |
STF |
| target |
_blank
_parent
_self
_top
framename |
Specifies where to open the linked document |
TF |
Standard Attributes
The <a> tag supports the following standard attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| accesskey |
character |
Specifies a keyboard shortcut to access an element |
STF |
| class |
classname |
Specifies a classname for an element |
STF |
| dir |
rtl
ltr |
Specifies the text direction
for the content in an element |
STF |
| id |
id |
Specifies a unique id for an element |
STF |
| lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element |
STF |
| style |
style_definition |
Specifies an inline style for an element |
STF |
| tabindex |
number |
Specifies the tab order of an element |
STF |
| title |
text |
Specifies extra information about an element |
STF |
| xml:lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in
XHTML documents |
STF |
More information about Standard Attributes.
Event Attributes
The <a> tag supports the following event attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| onblur |
script |
Script to be run when an element loses focus |
STF |
| onclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse click |
STF |
| ondblclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse double-click |
STF |
| onfocus |
script |
Script to be run when an element gets focus |
STF |
| onmousedown |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is pressed |
STF |
| onmousemove |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves |
STF |
| onmouseout |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an
element |
STF |
| onmouseover |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an
element |
STF |
| onmouseup |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is released |
STF |
| onkeydown |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed |
STF |
| onkeypress |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed and released |
STF |
| onkeyup |
script |
Script to be run when a key is released |
STF |
More information about Event Attributes.
 |
Try it Yourself - Examples |
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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