HTML 5 <a> tag
Definition and Usage
The <a> tag defines a hyperlink, which is used to link from one page to
another.
Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML 5
In HTML 4.01 the <a> tag could be either a hyperlink, or an anchor. This was
determined if the href attribute was described or not.
In HTML 5 the <a> tag is a hyperlink, but if it has no href attribute, it is
only a placeholder for a hyperlink.
HTML 5 has some new attributes, and some HTML 4.01 attributes are no longer supported.
Tips and Notes
Note: A linked page is normally displayed in the current browser
window, unless you specify another target.
Example
| Source |
Output |
|
<p>Linking to W3Schools:
<a href="http://www.w3schools.com">
W3Schools</a>
</p>
<p>
Opening W3Schools a new browser window:
<a href="http://www.w3schools.com"
target="_blank">W3Schools</a>
</p>
|
Linking to W3Schools:
W3Schools
Opening W3Schools a new browser window:
W3Schools
|
Attributes
- 4: indicates if the attribute is defined in HTML 4.01
- 5: indicates if the attribute is defined in HTML 5
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
4 |
5 |
| charset |
character_encoding |
Deprecated. Specifies the character encoding of the target URL |
4 |
|
| coords |
if shape="rect" then
coords="left,top,right,bottom"
if shape="circ" then
coords="centerx,centery,radius"
if shape="poly" then
coords="x1,y1,x2,y2,..,xn,yn" |
Deprecated. Specifies the coordinates appropriate to the
shape attribute to define a region of an image for image maps |
4 |
|
| href |
URL |
The target URL of the link |
4 |
5 |
| hreflang |
language_code |
Specifies the base language of the target URL. Use only if
the href attribute is present |
4 |
5 |
| media |
media query |
Specifies the mediatype of the target URL. Default value:
all. Use only if the href attribute is present |
|
5 |
| name |
section_name |
Deprecated. Names an anchor. Use this attribute to create a bookmark in
a document. Not supported. Use id instead. |
4 |
|
| ping |
URL |
Space separated list of URL's that gets notified when a user follows the
hyperlink. Use only if the href attribute is present |
|
5 |
| rel |
alternate
archives
author
bookmark
contact
external
feed
first
help
icon
index
last
license
next
nofollow
noreferrer
pingback
prefetch
prev
search
stylesheet
sidebar
tag
up |
Specifies the relationship between the current document and the target URL.
Use only if the href attribute is present |
4 |
5 |
| rev |
alternate
designates
stylesheet
start
next
prev
contents
index
glossary
copyright
chapter
section
subsection
appendix
help
bookmark |
Deprecated. Specifies the relationship between the target URL and the current document |
4 |
|
| shape |
rect
rectangle
circ
circle
poly
polygon |
Deprecated. Defines the type of region to be defined for mapping in the
current area tag. Used with the coords attribute. |
4 |
|
| target |
_blank
_parent
_self
_top
|
Where to open the target URL. Use only if the href
attribute is present
- _blank - the target URL will open in a new window
- _self - the target URL will open in the same document as it was clicked
- _parent - the target URL will open in the parent document
- _top - the target URL will open in the full body of the window
|
4 |
5 |
| type |
mime_type |
Specifies the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type of the target URL.
Use only if the href attribute is present |
4 |
5 |
Standard Attributes
| class, contenteditable, contextmenu, dir, draggable, id,
irrelevant, lang, ref, registrationmark, tabindex, template, title |
For a full description, go to Standard
Attributes in HTML 5.
Event Attributes
| onabort, onbeforeunload, onblur, onchange, onclick,
oncontextmenu, ondblclick, ondrag, ondragend, ondragenter, ondragleave,
ondragover, ondragstart, ondrop, onerror, onfocus, onkeydown, onkeypress,
onkeyup, onload, onmessage, onmousedown, onmousemove,
onmouseover, onmouseout, onmouseup, onmousewheel, onresize, onscroll, onselect,
onsubmit, onunload |
For a full description, go to Event Attributes
in HTML 5.
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.
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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