The basic steps for copying and pasting a link
To cut or copy a link, find the web address in your browser's address bar at the top of the window. Click or tap on it once — the entire address should highlight in blue. On Windows and Mac, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy it. To cut instead, use Ctrl+X or Command+X, which removes it from the source if you're working in a document you control. Then click where you want to paste it and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).
On a phone or tablet, tap and hold on the address bar until a menu appears, then select "Copy" or "Copy link". Open the app or document where you want it and tap and hold again, then select "Paste". The exact wording changes between iPhone and Android, but the action is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Click the address bar at the top of your browser, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac), then paste with Ctrl+V or Command+V.
- On phones and tablets, tap and hold the address bar, select "Copy", then tap and hold where you want to paste and select "Paste".
- Cutting a link (Ctrl+X or Command+X) removes it from a document you're editing; copying (Ctrl+C or Command+C) leaves the original in place.
- If the address bar doesn't highlight when you click it, try triple-clicking to select the entire URL.
- Some browsers let you right-click the address bar and choose "Copy" from a menu instead of using keyboard shortcuts.
Where to find the link you want to copy
The link lives in the address bar — the long white or gray box at the very top of your browser window that shows the web address starting with "http://" or "https://". This is different from the search bar, which is usually below it and says "Search" or has a search icon. The address bar is what you need.
If you're trying to copy a link from within a webpage — like a link someone posted in an article or email — right-click on it (or tap and hold on mobile) and select "Copy link" or "Copy link address". This copies the destination without you having to visit it first. Do not click the link itself, or you'll navigate away from where you are.
Copying versus cutting: when to use each
Copy (Ctrl+C or Command+C) duplicates the link and leaves the original in place. Use this when you want the link to stay where it is — for example, copying a URL from your browser to paste into an email, a document, or a chat message. The original link in the address bar remains unchanged.
Cut (Ctrl+X or Command+X) removes the link from where it started. This only works if you're editing a document or text field that you control, like a Word document, a Google Doc, or a note-taking app. Cutting a link from your browser's address bar does nothing useful because you cannot remove the page you're currently viewing. Use cut when you're reorganizing text within a document and want to move a link from one place to another without leaving a copy behind.
Pasting the link in different places
Once you've copied the link, click or tap in the location where you want it to appear. This could be an email message, a text document, a social media post, a chat window, or a spreadsheet cell. Then press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). On mobile, tap and hold and select "Paste".
Some apps paste the link as a clickable hyperlink automatically. Others paste it as plain text — just the raw web address. If you want to turn plain text into a clickable link in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, select the text and press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac), then confirm the address in the dialog box that appears.
Troubleshooting when the link won't copy
If clicking the address bar does not highlight the entire URL, try triple-clicking instead. This selects the whole address at once. If that still does not work, try right-clicking on the address bar and selecting "Copy" from the menu that appears — most browsers offer this option.
On mobile, if tap and hold does not show a menu, try a longer hold (two to three seconds). If the address bar is not visible, scroll to the very top of the page — some browsers hide it when you scroll down. In Safari on iPhone, swipe down from the top to reveal the address bar if it has disappeared.
If you paste the link and it appears broken or incomplete, the address bar may not have been fully selected when you copied. Go back to the browser, click the address bar again, and make sure the entire URL is highlighted in blue before copying.
Copying links from search results and web pages
When you see a link on a webpage — in a search result, an article, or a social media post — do not click it if you only want the address. Instead, right-click on the link text (or tap and hold on mobile) and select "Copy link" or "Copy link address". This puts the destination URL in your clipboard without navigating away from your current page.
This method works for any clickable link on a page, not just search results. It is faster than clicking the link, waiting for the page to load, copying from the address bar, and going back. If you accidentally click a link and want its address, you can still copy it from the address bar of the page you landed on.
Using keyboard shortcuts on different devices
Windows computers use Ctrl for most keyboard shortcuts. Mac computers use Command (the key with the Apple logo or ⌘ symbol). Linux systems use Ctrl like Windows. Chromebooks use Ctrl as well. If you switch between devices, remember this difference — it is the most common source of confusion.
On tablets and phones, there are no keyboard shortcuts. You always use the tap-and-hold menu. If you connect a keyboard to a mobile device, the keyboard shortcuts may or may not work depending on the app — most mobile apps do not support them. Stick with the tap-and-hold method for consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link without visiting the page first?
Yes. Right-click on any link on a webpage and select "Copy link" or "Copy link address". This copies the destination URL without clicking the link. On mobile, tap and hold the link and select "Copy link".
What is the difference between copying and cutting a link?
Copying leaves the original in place and creates a duplicate. Cutting removes it from the source. Cutting only works in documents you control, like a Word file or Google Doc. Cutting from your browser's address bar has no effect.
Why does my pasted link show as plain text instead of a clickable link?
Some apps paste URLs as plain text by default. In Microsoft Word or Google Docs, select the text and press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Command+K (Mac) to turn it into a clickable hyperlink. Other apps may have a different method — check the app's help section.
How do I copy a link on an iPhone?
Tap and hold on the address bar at the top of Safari, then select "Copy". If the address bar is hidden, swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal it. Then tap and hold in the location where you want to paste and select "Paste".
What if the address bar is not visible on my phone?
On most phones, scroll to the very top of the page to reveal the address bar. On iPhone Safari, swipe down from the top edge of the screen. On Android Chrome, the address bar is usually visible at the top, but scrolling up will bring it into full view if it has been minimized.