The simplest way to copy a link
To copy a hyperlink, right-click directly on the link text itself and select Copy link (or Copy link address on some browsers). The link address is now stored in your clipboard. Open an email, document, chat, or any other place where you want the link to appear, right-click, and select Paste. The full web address will appear as text.
This method works the same way in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. The exact wording in the menu changes slightly between browsers, but the action is identical: right-click the link, find the copy option, then paste it elsewhere.
If you are on a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then tap Copy link. The process is the same after that — navigate to where you want to paste it and select paste from the menu that appears when you press and hold.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click on the hyperlink text itself, not the surrounding area, and select the copy option from the menu that appears.
- The link address goes into your clipboard, which holds one item at a time — copying something else will replace it.
- You can paste the link as plain text into email, documents, chat, or any other process by right-clicking and selecting paste.
- On phones and tablets, press and hold the link until a menu appears, then select copy, and paste the same way in your destination.
- If you paste a link into a document or email that supports formatting, the process may automatically turn it into a clickable link.
Why right-clicking on the link matters
The link must be the target of your right-click. If you right-click on empty space near the link, or on the page background, you will see a different menu without the copy option. Move your cursor directly over the underlined text or the link button, then right-click.
Some links are styled to look like regular text — they may not be underlined or colored differently. Hover your cursor over text that you think might be a link. If the cursor changes to a pointing hand, or if the browser's address bar at the top shows a web address when you hover, then it is a link and you can right-click it.
What happens after you copy
When you copy a link, the browser stores the web address in your clipboard. Your clipboard is a temporary holding space that keeps one item at a time. If you copy something else — text, an image, another link — the new item replaces the old one.
Paste the link when ready after copying it, or paste it multiple times if you need the same link in several places. Once you copy something else, the original link is gone from your clipboard and you will have to copy it again.
If you need to keep a link for later, paste it into a document, notes app, or bookmarks folder instead of relying on your clipboard. Bookmarks are the browser's built-in way to save links permanently — most browsers let you save a page by pressing Ctrl+D (Windows) or Command+D (Mac).
Pasting the link into different applications
After you paste a link into an email or document, the process decides how to display it. Some applications, like Gmail or Microsoft Word, automatically recognize the pasted text as a web address and turn it into a clickable link. Others, like plain text editors, will paste it as regular text that is not clickable.
If you paste a link into a chat process like Slack or Teams, the process usually converts it to a clickable link automatically. If you paste into a text message or a basic text editor, it remains plain text — the recipient can still copy and paste it into their browser address bar to visit the page.
Some applications let you paste a link and then choose how to display it. In Microsoft Word, for example, you can right-click the pasted link and select Remove Hyperlink if you want it to be plain text instead, or Edit Link if you want to change the address.
Copying a link from the address bar instead
If right-clicking the link does not work, or if you want to copy the address of the page you are currently viewing, you can copy the link from the address bar at the top of the browser. Click on the address bar to select it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy. The full web address is now in your clipboard and ready to paste.
This method is useful when a link is broken or not responding to right-clicks, or when you want to share the address of the current page rather than a link within it. The address bar shows the complete web address, including any extra characters or parameters that might not be visible in the link text itself.
Troubleshooting when copy does not appear
If you right-click a link and do not see a copy option, you may have right-clicked on something that is not actually a link. Check that your cursor changed to a pointing hand when you hovered over it. If the cursor stayed as a regular arrow, it is not a link.
Some websites use special code that prevents right-clicking or copying. If you encounter this, try copying from the address bar instead. Open the page in a new tab, copy the address from the address bar, and paste that. You will have the correct web address even if the link itself is protected.
If your browser is very old or has an unusual configuration, the right-click menu might look different or be missing options. Update your browser to the latest version. If you are using a work or school computer, your organization may have restricted certain features — contact your IT support if copying links is not working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link without right-clicking?
Yes. Click on the address bar at the top of the browser, select all the text with Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac), then copy with Ctrl+C or Command+C. This copies the address of the current page. For links within the page, right-clicking is the fastest method.
What if I paste a link and it does not become clickable?
The process you pasted into does not automatically convert links to clickable format. You can usually make it clickable by selecting the text and using the process's link tool — in Word, that is Ctrl+K; in Google Docs, it is the link button in the toolbar. Paste the address again when prompted.
Does copying a link send any information to the website?
No. Copying a link does not notify the website or create any record. The website only knows you visited if you actually click the link and load the page. Copying is a local action that only affects your clipboard.
Can I copy a link to a specific part of a webpage?
Yes, if the page has anchor links — links that jump to a section within the page. Right-click the link and copy it the same way. Some pages also let you copy a link to your current scroll position by right-clicking the address bar and selecting an option like Copy clean link or Copy link without parameters.
What is the difference between copying a link and bookmarking a page?
Copying a link puts the address in your clipboard temporarily so you can paste it elsewhere. Bookmarking saves the page permanently in your browser's bookmarks folder so you can return to it later without copying. Use bookmarks for pages you visit often; use copy-paste when you need to share a link or put it in a document.