HTML - <a> Tag



The HTML <a> tag (anchor tag) is used to create hyperlinks, to navigate between different webpages or sections within the page. It creates clickable text, images allowing users to visit external websites or download files.

The primary attribute of the <a> tag is href, which specifies the links destination. Additional attributes like target control the link destination.

Syntax

Following is the syntax of HTML <a> tag −.

<a href="...">Content...</a>

Attributes

HTML a tag supports Global and Event attributes of HTML. Accept some specific attributes as well which are listed bellow.

Attribute Value Description
download filename Allow user to download the linked file when user clicked on the hyperlink.
href URL Specify the link page where we wants to send the user.
hreflang language_code Spefeicy the language of the attached link.
media media_query Specifies what media/device the linked document is optimized for.
ping list_of_URLs Specifies a space-separated list of URLs.
referrerpolicy no-referrer
no-referrer-when-downgrade
origin
origin-when-cross-origin
same-origin
strict-origin-when-cross-origin
unsafe-url
Specifies which referrer information to send with the link.
rel alternate
author
bookmark
external
help
license
next
nofollow
noreferrer
noopener
prev
search
tag
Define the relation between the current and linked url document.
target _blank
_parent
_self
_top
Specify how or where to open the linked document.
type media_type Specify the media type of the inked url document.

Example : Basic Hyperlink

In the following example, we are going to consider the basic usage of the <a> tag.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
    <p><a href="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/index.htm">Home Page</a>
    </p>
</body>
</html>

Example : Opening Link in a New Tab

Consider the following example, where we are going to use the target="_blank" attribute to open the link in the new window.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
    <a href=https://www.tutorialspoint.com/index.htm target="_blank" name=tutorialspoint>
       TutorialsPoint
   </a>
</body>
</html>

Example : Linking to an Email Address & Mobile

Let's look at the following example, where we are going to use the <a> tag to create a hyperlinks for the email and mobile number.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
    <p>You can contact with us</p>
    <ul>
        <li><a href="tel:+910000000" name=Call>
       Call Us
   </a></li>
        <li><a href="mailto:example@xyz.com" name=Mail>
       Mail Us
   </a></li>
    </ul>
</body>
</html>

Example : Anchor Link Within a Page

Following is the example, where we are creating the hyperlinks within the page.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<style>
    div {
        margin-top: 1500px;
        border: 1px solid black;
    }
</style>
<body>
    <a href="#section1">Go to Section 1</a>
    <br>
    <a href="#section2">Go to Section 2</a>
    <div>
        <h2 id="section1">Section 1</h2>
    </div>
    <div>
        <h2 id="section2">Section 2</h2>
    </div>
</body>
</html>

Example : Downloading the File

In the following example, we are going to use the download attribute with the <a> tag to download the file.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
    <div>
        <p>
            Click the
            <a href="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/images/logo.png" name=image download>
                 Download
            </a> Button
        </p>
    </div>
</body>
</html>

Supported Browsers

Tag Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
a Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
html_tags_reference.htm
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