The basic steps for copying and pasting a link
Copying a link means taking the web address from your browser and saving it to your clipboard — a temporary holding space on your device. Pasting means putting that address into a document, email, or message. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on a computer, phone, or tablet, but the principle is the same: find the link, copy it, then paste it where you need it.
On a computer, right-click the link (or the address bar) and select "Copy" from the menu that appears. Then click in the document or message where you want the link to go, right-click again, and select "Paste". On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, tap "Copy", then press and hold in your destination and tap "Paste".
Key Takeaways
- Right-click a link on a computer to copy it, then right-click where you want it and select Paste.
- On phones and tablets, press and hold the link, tap Copy, then press and hold in your destination and tap Paste.
- You can also copy the address directly from your browser's address bar instead of right-clicking the link itself.
- If pasting does not work, try using keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste on Windows, or Command+C and Command+V on Mac.
- Some links may not copy correctly if they are shortened or redirected, but the destination address will still work once pasted.
Copying a link from your browser's address bar
The address bar is the field at the top of your browser window that shows the web address of the page you are viewing. This is often the easiest place to copy a link from, because you can see exactly what you are copying before you do it.
On a computer, click once in the address bar to highlight it, then right-click and select "Copy". On a phone or tablet, tap the address bar, press and hold to select all the text, then tap "Copy". The entire address is now in your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere.
Copying a link from text or a document
If a link is embedded in an email, document, or web page, you can copy it without opening it first. Right-click directly on the link text itself (on a computer) or press and hold it (on a phone or tablet). A menu will appear with a "Copy" or "Copy Link" option.
Be careful to right-click the link itself, not the surrounding text. If you right-click the wrong spot, you may copy regular text instead of the web address. The link address is what gets copied, not the visible text — so if the link says "click here" but points to example.com, you will copy example.com.
Pasting a link into different places
Once you have copied a link, you can paste it into emails, documents, messages, social media posts, or anywhere else that accepts text. The process is the same: right-click (on a computer) or press and hold (on a phone or tablet) in the space where you want the link to go, then select "Paste".
Some applications will automatically turn a pasted link into a clickable hyperlink. Others will paste it as plain text. Both versions work — the plain text version is just less visually polished. If you want to turn plain text into a clickable link in a document, most programs have a "Insert Link" or "Add Hyperlink" option in the menu.
Using keyboard shortcuts instead of right-click menus
If right-clicking feels awkward or your device does not respond well to it, you can use keyboard shortcuts instead. On Windows computers, press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. On Mac computers, press Command+C to copy and Command+V to paste.
First, select the text or link you want to copy by clicking and dragging across it (or clicking once in the address bar). Then press the copy shortcut. Move to where you want to paste it and press the paste shortcut. This method works in almost every program on your computer.
What to do if a link will not copy or paste
Sometimes a link refuses to copy, or the paste does not work. The most common reason is that the link is protected by the website — some sites block copying to prevent people from sharing their content. If this happens, you can usually still copy the address from your browser's address bar instead, which is harder to block.
If pasting is not working, try closing and reopening the program you are pasting into, or restarting your device. Occasionally the clipboard gets stuck and a restart clears it. If you are pasting into a web form and nothing happens, check that you clicked in the correct field first — some forms require you to click in a specific box before pasting will work.
Shortened links and why they look different
Some links are shortened using services like bit.ly or tinyurl.com. These create a much shorter address that redirects to the original long link. When you copy a shortened link, you are copying the short version, not the original. This is fine — the short version will still take you to the right place when you click it.
If you want to see where a shortened link actually goes before you copy it, you can paste it into a preview tool or hover over it in some email clients to see the destination. But for most purposes, copying and pasting the short version works perfectly well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link if the website does not let me right-click?
Yes. Copy the address from your browser's address bar instead. Click the address bar, select all the text, and copy it. This bypasses any restrictions the website has placed on right-clicking.
What is the difference between copying a link and copying the link text?
The link itself is the web address (the destination). The link text is the visible words you see on the page. When you right-click a link, you copy the address. When you right-click the text around it, you copy the words. Always right-click directly on the underlined or colored link to get the address.
Why does my pasted link look like plain text instead of a clickable link?
Different programs handle pasted links differently. In some, a pasted link becomes clickable automatically. In others, it stays as plain text but still works if someone clicks it. If you want it to look like a proper hyperlink in a document, use the Insert or Format menu to add a hyperlink.
Can I copy multiple links at once?
Your clipboard can only hold one thing at a time, so copying a second link will replace the first one. If you need to save multiple links, paste them all into a document or note-taking app first, then copy them one at a time as needed.
Does copying a link send a notification to the website or the person who posted it?
No. Copying a link is invisible to everyone — the website and the original poster have no way of knowing you copied it. Only clicking the link or visiting the page creates a record.