Example
A link to Xhtml.co.il:<a href="http://Xhtml.co.il/en/">This is a link</a>
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 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 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.
Open a link in a new browser window
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.
The name attribute specifies the name of an anchor:
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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