The fastest way to copy a link
On most devices, right-click the link and select Copy link or Copy link address from the menu that appears. The link is now in your clipboard — you can paste it anywhere by right-clicking again and selecting Paste, or by pressing Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).
If you are copying the link to the page you are currently viewing rather than a link within that page, look at the address bar at the top of your browser. Click once on the address bar to select it, then right-click and choose Copy. The full web address is now ready to paste.
On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then tap Copy link or Copy. You can then paste it into messages, email, or notes by pressing and holding where you want it and selecting Paste.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any link and select Copy link to copy its address without opening it.
- To copy the page you are currently on, click the address bar at the top, right-click, and select Copy.
- On phones and tablets, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then tap Copy link.
- After copying, paste the link anywhere using Ctrl+V or Command+V on a computer, or by pressing and holding on a phone.
Copying links on Windows computers
Right-click directly on the link text or the link itself. A context menu will appear with several options. Look for Copy link or Copy link address — the exact wording depends on which browser you are using, but the function is the same. Click that option once.
The link is now copied to your clipboard. You will not see any confirmation on screen, but you can paste it when ready. Open the document, message, or email where you want the link, click where you want it to go, and press Ctrl+V. The link will appear.
If you want to copy the address of the page you are currently viewing, click once on the address bar (the field showing the web address at the very top of the browser window). The entire address will highlight. Right-click on the highlighted text and select Copy, then paste it wherever you need it.
Copying links on Mac computers
Right-click the link or use a two-finger tap on the trackpad. A menu will appear. Select Copy link or Copy link address depending on your browser. The link is now in your clipboard.
To paste it, click where you want the link to go and press Command+V. This works in emails, messages, documents, and web forms. If nothing happens when you paste, make sure you clicked in the correct location — some fields do not accept pasted content.
To copy the address of the page you are on, click the address bar at the top of the browser window. The web address will highlight. Press Command+C to copy it, then Command+V to paste it anywhere you need.
Copying links on phones and tablets
Press and hold your finger on the link for one to two seconds. A menu will pop up with several options. Tap Copy link, Copy, or Copy URL — the exact wording varies by phone and browser. The link is now copied.
To paste it, open the app or message where you want it (such as a text message, email, or note-taking app), tap where you want the link to appear, and hold your finger there until a menu shows up. Tap Paste. The link will appear in that location.
If you want to copy the address of the page you are currently viewing on a phone, tap the address bar at the top, hold your finger on it until the text highlights, and tap Copy. Then paste it as described above.
What to do if the copy option does not appear
If you right-click or press and hold on a link and no menu appears, the link may be blocked or the website may have disabled copying. Try a different approach: click the link to open it, then copy the address from the address bar instead. This works on nearly every website.
On some websites, links are built in a way that makes them harder to copy. If the standard right-click method does not work, open the link in a new tab or window, wait for the page to load, click the address bar, and copy the address from there. You now have the correct link to share.
If you are using an older browser or a very new one, the menu options might be worded differently. Look for any option containing the word "copy" or "link". If you still cannot find it, copying from the address bar is always a reliable backup method.
Pasting links in different places
After you copy a link, you can paste it into email, text messages, social media, documents, and most web forms. The process is the same: click or tap where you want the link to go, then press Ctrl+V (Windows), Command+V (Mac), or tap and select Paste (phone or tablet).
Some applications paste the link as a clickable hyperlink automatically. Others paste it as plain text — just the web address with no special formatting. Both are correct and work the same way when someone clicks on them. If you want to change how the link appears (for example, to show different text instead of the full address), most email and document programs let you right-click the pasted link and select Edit link or Change link text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link without opening it?
Yes. Right-click the link and select Copy link without clicking the link itself. The link goes into your clipboard without the page opening. This is the fastest way to gather multiple links without navigating away from what you are reading.
What is the difference between copying a link and copying the page address?
Copying a link (right-click on the link itself) gives you the address of where that link points to. Copying the page address (from the address bar) gives you the address of the page you are currently viewing. Both are web addresses, but they may be different if the link points to another page.
Why does my copied link not paste anywhere?
Make sure you clicked in the correct location before pasting — some text fields and forms do not accept pasted content. Also check that you actually copied the link (right-click and select copy) rather than just clicking it. If pasting still does not work, try copying the address from the address bar instead.
Can I copy a link on a website that blocks copying?
If the right-click menu does not appear, open the link in a new tab, wait for it to load, then copy the address from the address bar at the top. This method works on almost every website, even those that try to prevent copying in other ways.
How long does a copied link stay in my clipboard?
A copied link stays in your clipboard until you copy something else or restart your device. You can paste it as many times as you want before copying something new. If you close your browser or turn off your device, the link is lost — copy it again if you need it later.