HTML <a> Tag
Description
The HTML <a> (anchor) element creates a hyperlink to other web pages, files, email addresses, locations within the same page, or anything else a URL can address.
It is one of the most fundamental HTML elements and is essential for navigation on the web. Without anchor tags the web would not be interconnected.
CSS Display:
inlineSyntax
<a href="url">Link text</a>Popular Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| hrefRequired | Specifies the URL the link points to. Can be an absolute or relative URL. |
| target | Specifies where to open the linked document. Common values: _blank (new tab), _self (same frame, default), _parent, _top. |
| rel | Specifies the relationship between the current document and the linked document. Common values: noopener, noreferrer, nofollow. |
| download | Prompts the user to download the linked resource instead of navigating to it. The value specifies the default filename. |
| title | Provides advisory text, often displayed as a tooltip on hover. |
This element also supports global HTML attributes such as class, id, style, data-*, and more.
Examples
Basic Link
<a href="https://htmlsave.com">Visit HTML Save</a>
Creates a simple hyperlink that navigates to the specified URL when clicked.
Open in New Tab
<a href="https://htmlsave.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Open in New Tab</a>
Using target="_blank" opens the link in a new browser tab. Always add rel="noopener noreferrer" for security.
Email Link
<a href="mailto:hello@example.com">Send Email</a>
The mailto: protocol opens the user's default email client with the email address pre-filled.
Notes
When using target="_blank", always include rel="noopener noreferrer" to prevent the new page from accessing the window.opener property, which is a security vulnerability known as "tabnapping".