HTML a tag

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)

# HTML <a> tag

## Example

A link to W3Schools.com:

<a href="http://www.w3schools.com">Visit W3Schools.com!</a>

Try it yourself! (more examples at the bottom of this page)

## Definition and Usage

The <a> tag defines an anchor. An anchor can be used in two ways:

1. To create a link to another document, by using the href attribute
2. 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 | 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.

From http://www.w3schools.com (Copyright Refsnes Data)