The simplest way: copy and paste the link into your message

To send a link in email, copy the web address from your browser's address bar and paste it directly into your email message. Highlight the address at the top of your browser window (it starts with http:// or https://), right-click and select Copy, then open your email, click in the message body, right-click and select Paste. The recipient can click the link directly from the email.

This method works in every email program — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Apple Mail, and others. Most email services automatically recognize pasted web addresses and turn them into clickable links without you doing anything extra. The link appears underlined and in a different color, usually blue.

If the link does not automatically become clickable, you can select the text you pasted, right-click, and look for an option like "Add Link" or "Insert Link". In most programs this opens a small window where you confirm the web address and click OK.

Key Takeaways

  • Copy the web address from your browser's address bar and paste it directly into your email message — most email programs will make it clickable automatically.
  • If the link does not turn blue and underlined on its own, select the text, right-click, and choose an option like "Add Link" or "Insert Link".
  • You can also highlight text in your message and attach a link to those words instead of showing the full web address.
  • Always test the link before sending by clicking it yourself to make sure it goes to the right page.

Hiding a long link behind readable text

If the web address is very long or ugly, you can attach the link to different words instead. Highlight the words you want to turn into a link (for example, "Click here to see the photos"), right-click, and select "Add Link" or "Insert Link". A small window opens asking for the web address — paste your link there and click OK. Now only your chosen words appear as a clickable link, and the full address stays hidden.

This makes your email cleaner and easier to read, especially when you are sending multiple links. Instead of showing "https://www.example.com/photos/vacation/2024/beach/day-three", your reader just sees "Click here to see the photos" and clicks that.

Sending links from your phone or tablet

On a phone or tablet, open the website you want to share, tap the address bar at the top, and look for a Share button (usually three dots or lines, or an arrow pointing out of a box). Tap Share and select your email app from the list. Your email app opens with the link already pasted into a new message — just add a recipient and send.

If you do not see a Share button, try holding down on the address bar and selecting Copy. Then open your email app, start a new message, tap in the message body, hold down, and select Paste. The process is the same as on a computer, just with taps instead of clicks.

What happens when someone clicks your link

When a recipient clicks a link in your email, their web browser opens and takes them to that page. The link itself does not read anything or install anything — it just opens a website. If you want someone to read a file instead, you need to attach the file to the email rather than sending a link to it.

Links can break if the website moves the page or takes it down. If you are sending a link to something important, consider also explaining what the link is for in your message, so the recipient understands what they are clicking on.

Checking that your link works before you send

Before you send an email with a link, click the link yourself to make sure it goes to the right page. This catches mistakes like typos in the address or links that have stopped working. If you copied the address from your browser, it should be correct, but it only takes a few seconds to verify.

If you are sending a link to a page that requires a login, remember that your recipient may not have access to it. Test the link in a private or incognito browser window to see what someone who is not logged in would see. If the page is behind a login wall, you may need to send the file or information another way instead.

Links in different email programs

Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail all handle links the same basic way: paste the address and it becomes clickable. Some programs have a dedicated Link button in the toolbar at the top of the message — it looks like a chain link or paperclip. Click that button, paste your web address, and click OK.

If you use an older email program or a less common one, the steps might be slightly different, but the principle is the same. Right-click on the text or look for a Link option in the menu bar. Every email program that can send formatted messages (not plain text only) can handle links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a link to a file on my computer?

No — a link only works if the file is already on the internet at a web address. If you want to send a file from your computer, attach it to the email instead. Right-click in the message body and look for "Attach" or "Add Attachment", then select the file from your computer.

What if the link is too long to fit in the email?

The length of the link does not matter — it will fit in the email no matter how long it is. If you want to make it look shorter, hide it behind readable text instead, as described above. The full address is still there; it just does not show on the screen.

Do I need to add anything before or after the link?

No. A link that starts with http:// or https:// will work on its own. You do not need to add anything before it. You can add text before or after it to explain what the link is for, but the link itself does not need any special formatting.

Can the recipient see where the link goes before they click it?

In most email programs, if you hover your mouse over a link without clicking, a small box appears showing the full web address. This lets people check where a link goes before they click it. On phones, you usually have to press and hold the link to see the address.

What if someone says the link did not work?

Ask them what error message they saw, or have them try again in a different web browser. The link itself is probably fine — the issue is usually on their end, like a slow internet connection or a browser that needs updating. You can also test the link yourself to make sure it still works.