The fastest way to copy a link

Right-click the link and select Copy link (or Copy link address on some browsers). That's it — the web address is now in your clipboard, ready to paste anywhere: email, a document, a chat message, or another browser tab.

The exact wording changes slightly between browsers. Chrome and Edge say "Copy link". Firefox says "Copy link address". Safari says "Copy link". They all do the same thing: they grab the actual web address behind the link text and copy it to your clipboard without opening the page.

This method works on any clickable link — text links, image links, buttons that go somewhere, even links inside dropdown menus or navigation bars. If you can right-click it and it opens a page when you click normally, you can copy its address this way.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any link and select "Copy link" to grab its web address without opening the page.
  • If right-click doesn't work, hold down the mouse button on the link for a second or two until a menu appears.
  • On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then tap "Copy link" or "Copy URL".
  • You can also click the address bar, select all the text, copy it, and paste it elsewhere — but this copies the page you're currently on, not the link you clicked.
  • Pasting the copied link into a new browser tab or search bar will take you to that page.

What happens when you copy a link

When you copy a link, your browser reads the href — the actual web address hidden behind the link text — and stores it temporarily in your clipboard. The link text (the words you see) stays on the page. Only the address goes into your clipboard.

This is why copying a link is different from copying the link text. If you select the words "Click here" and copy them, you get the text "Click here". If you right-click that same link and copy it, you get something like https://www.example.com/page. The address is what matters when you paste it somewhere else.

Copying links on phones and tablets

On a phone or tablet, press and hold your finger on the link for a second or two. A menu will pop up with options like "Copy link", "Copy URL", "Open in new tab", or "Share". Tap whichever option says "Copy" — the exact wording depends on your device and browser.

After you tap, the link address is copied to your clipboard. You can then open email, a messaging app, or a notes app and paste it by pressing and holding in the text field and selecting "Paste".

If the menu doesn't appear, try pressing and holding longer — some browsers need a full second or two before the menu shows up. If it still doesn't work, the link might be broken or the page might block copying.

Copying the current page's address instead

If you want to share the page you're currently viewing — not a link on that page — click the address bar at the top of your browser. The entire web address will highlight. Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy it, or right-click and select "Copy".

This is useful when you want to send someone the page you're reading, rather than a link that page contains. The address bar shows you exactly what will be copied, so you can see whether you're copying the right thing before you paste it elsewhere.

When copying a link doesn't work

Some websites block right-click menus or prevent copying. If the right-click menu doesn't appear, try holding down the mouse button longer — a few websites delay the menu on purpose. If that doesn't work, the site has disabled copying.

When copying is blocked, you can usually still get the link by clicking it to open the page, then copying the address from the address bar. You lose the convenience of copying without opening, but you still get the address. Some sites block copying to protect their content, though the link itself is usually copyable even when text and images are not.

If you're using a browser extension that blocks ads or scripts, it might also block the right-click menu. Try disabling the extension temporarily to see if that fixes it.

Where to paste a copied link

Once you've copied a link, you can paste it almost anywhere: email, text messages, word processors, spreadsheets, chat apps, social media, or even a new browser tab. Click or tap where you want the link to go, then press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac), or right-click and select "Paste".

If you paste a link into a browser's address bar or search box and press Enter, the browser will navigate to that page. If you paste it into an email or document, it usually becomes a clickable link automatically — though some apps require you to format it as a link yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a link if the page won't let me right-click?

Usually yes. Click the link to open the page, then copy the address from the address bar at the top of your browser. Some sites block right-click menus but can't block the address bar. If even that doesn't work, the site has disabled copying at a deeper level, though this is rare.

What's the difference between copying a link and copying link text?

Copying a link gives you the web address (the href). Copying link text gives you the words you see. If a link says "Learn more" but points to https://example.com/guide, copying the link gives you the address; copying the text gives you "Learn more". The address is what you need to share.

Will the link still work if I paste it later?

Yes. A copied link is just text — the web address itself. It doesn't expire or change just because you copied it. You can paste it days or weeks later and it will still work, as long as the page it points to still exists.

Can I copy a link on a phone the same way as a computer?

The method is different but just as straightforward. Press and hold the link until a menu appears, then tap "Copy link" or "Copy URL". On a computer you right-click; on a phone you press and hold. The result is the same — the address goes into your clipboard.