HTML <a> Tag

The HTML <a> tag is used for creating an a element (also known as an "anchor" element).

The a element represents a hyperlink. This is usually a link to another document.

You can use the <a> tag to link text or images. You can also link a large block of content (even containing multiple elements) if required - it's not just restricted to hyperlinking single elements. However, there must be no "interactive content" descendant.

Syntax

The <a> tag is written as <a href=""></a> with the linked URL between the double quotes of the href attribute and the anchor text (i.e. the text that the user sees) between the start and end tags.

Like this:

Examples

Basic tag usage

Open the link in a new window (or tab)

Here we use target="_blank" to open the link in a new window.

Reload the new window

Here we open multiple links in a new window, but instead of a new window being opened with each link, a new window is opened with the first link, then the following links load their contents into that window.

We do this simply by giving the target attribute a name that doesn't exist (i.e. we make up our own name for the window/tab).

Linked Image

Here we wrap the <a> around an image to create a linked image.

No-Follow

Here we use rel="nofollow" to create a "nofollow" link. This can be used to tell search engines that you don't endorse the content at the other end of the link. The nofollow attribute value is typically used on paid links and advertising.

Many people refer to this as the "nofollow tag" but it's not actually a tag. It's not even an attribute (the attribute is rel). The nofollow bit is simply a value of the rel attribute.

Attributes

Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.

The <a> element accepts the following attributes.

AttributeDescription
hrefSpecifies the URL of a page that the link goes to.
targetSpecifies the default browsing context to load the URL into. Only to be used when the href attribute is present.

Possible values:

  • _blank
  • _self
  • _top
  • _parent
  • Any string with at least one character that does not start with a U+005F LOW LINE character. In other words, cannot start with an underscore character (names starting with an underscore are reserved for special keywords).
pingGives a space-separated list of URLs to be notified via HTTP POST when the user follows the hyperlink. Only to be used when the href attribute is present.
downloadIndicates that the link is to be used for downloading a resource (such as a file). The author can specify a default file name by providing a value. This attribute is optional.

Value:

[Default file name.] (optional)
relDescribes the relationship between the current document and the destination URI. Only to be used when the href attribute is present. Multiple values can be provided, separated by a space.

Possible values:

ValueDescription
alternateGives alternate representations of the current document.
authorGives a link to the current document's author.
bookmarkProvides the permalink for the nearest ancestor section.
externalIndicates that the referenced document is not part of the same site as the current document.
helpProvides a link to context-sensitive help.
licenseIndicates that the main content of the current document is covered by the copyright license described by the referenced document.
nextIndicates that the current document is a part of a series, and that the next document in the series is the referenced document.
nofollowIndicates that the current document's original author or publisher does not endorse the referenced document. Often used for unverified links or general paid links.
noopenerCreates a top-level browsing context that is not an auxiliary browsing context if the hyperlink would create either of those to begin with (i.e., has an appropriate target attribute value). Prevents the opened page from accessing window.opener.
noreferrerRequires that the user agent not send an HTTP Referer header if the user follows the hyperlink, and implicitly acts like noopener.
openerCreates an auxiliary browsing context if the hyperlink would otherwise create a top-level browsing context that is not an auxiliary browsing context (i.e., has "_blank" as target attribute value).
prevIndicates that the current document is a part of a series, and that the previous document in the series is the referenced document.
searchGives a link to a resource that can be used to search through the current document and its related pages.
sponsoredIndicates that the link was created as part of an advertisement, paid placement, or commercial agreement.
tagGives a tag (identified by the given address) that applies to the current document.
ugcIndicates that the link is within user-generated content, such as comments or forum posts.
revReverse link relationship of the destination resource to this document (obsolete in HTML5).
hreflangLanguage code of the destination URL. Only to be used when the href attribute is present.
typeSpecifies the MIME type of the linked resource. Only to be used when the href attribute is present.
referrerpolicySpecifies which referrer info to send when fetching the link target.

Global Attributes

The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <a> tag , as well as with all other HTML tags.

For a full explanation of these attributes, see HTML 5 global attributes.

Event Handlers

Event handler content attributes enable you to invoke a script from within your HTML. The script is invoked when a certain "event" occurs. Each event handler content attribute deals with a different event.

Most event handler content attributes can be used on all HTML elements, but some event handlers have specific rules around when they can be used and which elements they are applicable to.

For more detail, see HTML event handler content attributes.

Accessibility & Best Practices