The fastest way to add a clickable link
Most email programs let you turn text into a clickable link in two or three steps. Highlight the words you want to link, paste the web address into a dialog box, and save. The exact steps depend on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, or another program — but the principle is the same across all of them.
The link you create stays live when someone receives your email. They can click it directly without copying and pasting the address into their browser. This works whether you are sending to one person or many, and whether they open your email on a phone, tablet, or computer.
Key Takeaways
- Select the text you want to turn into a link, then use your email program's link tool — usually a chain icon in the toolbar or a right-click menu option.
- Paste the full web address (starting with http:// or https://) into the dialog box that appears, then confirm.
- Test the link before you send by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking it to make sure it opens the right page.
- You can change or remove a link later by selecting it again and choosing edit or delete from the same menu.
Creating a link in Gmail
Open your email draft in Gmail. Highlight the words you want to turn into a link by clicking and dragging across them. The text will appear selected (usually with a colored background).
Look for the chain link icon in the toolbar below the subject line. It looks like two connected links of a chain. Click it once. A small box will appear asking you to paste the web address. Type or paste the full URL — for example, https://www.example.com — into that box and press Enter. The text you selected is now a clickable link.
If you need to change the link later, click on the linked text and the chain icon will appear again. You can click it to edit the address or remove the link entirely.
Creating a link in Outlook (desktop and web)
In Outlook on your computer, highlight the text you want to link. Right-click on the selected text and choose Link from the menu that appears. A dialog box titled "Insert Hyperlink" will open.
In the field labeled Address, paste the web address you want to link to. Make sure it includes the full path — https://www.example.com is correct, while example.com alone may not work. Click OK and the link is created.
In Outlook on the web (Outlook.com), the process is similar. Highlight your text, then look for the link icon in the toolbar — it looks like a chain. Click it, paste the address into the box that appears, and press Enter.
Creating a link in Apple Mail
In Apple Mail on Mac, highlight the text you want to turn into a link. Go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and click Edit, then choose Add Link. A dialog box will appear with a field for the URL.
Paste the web address into that field and click Add. The text is now a clickable link. If you are using Mail on iPhone or iPad, highlight the text, tap the formatting menu (three dots or lines), and look for a link option.
Creating a link in other email programs
Most other email services — including Yahoo Mail, ProtonMail, and others — follow the same pattern. Highlight your text, look for a chain link icon in the toolbar, and paste the address when prompted. If you cannot find the icon, right-click on the selected text and look for a Link or Insert Link option in the menu.
Some programs hide the link tool in a formatting menu. Look for a button labeled with three dots, a gear icon, or the word Format. Clicking it usually reveals additional options, including the link tool.
What to paste: the full web address
The address you paste must be complete and start with http:// or https://. If you copy a link from your browser's address bar, it usually includes this already. If you type the address by hand, do not forget the https:// at the beginning.
Links without the protocol prefix (http:// or https://) may not work when someone clicks them. Your email program might add it automatically, but it is safer to include it yourself. If you are linking to a page deep within a website — not just the homepage — paste the entire URL from the address bar.
Testing your link before you send
Before you send the email, test the link to make sure it goes to the right place. Hold down Ctrl (on Windows) or Cmd (on Mac) and click the linked text. Your browser should open and load the page you intended. If it opens the wrong page or shows an error, go back to your email, select the link again, and fix the address.
This step takes ten seconds and prevents you from sending someone a broken or incorrect link. It is especially important if you typed the address by hand rather than copying it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link to something other than a website?
Yes. You can create a link that opens an email address by using mailto:name@example.com as the address. You can also link to a phone number using tel:+1-555-0123. The exact format varies slightly by email program, so test it before sending to a large group.
What if the link shows the full web address instead of the text I selected?
This usually means the link did not create properly. Delete the text, type it again, highlight it, and use the link tool once more. Make sure you are pasting the address into the correct field in the dialog box, not into the email itself.
Can I change the link after I send the email?
No. Once you send an email, you cannot edit it in most programs. If you need to send a corrected version, you will have to compose and send a new email. This is why testing before you send is important.
Does the link work the same way on phones and computers?
Yes. A link you create in your email works on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. The person receiving it can click it the same way regardless of what they use to open the email.