The fastest way to copy a link
To copy a link, right-click on it and select Copy link (or Copy link address on some browsers). Then open the place where you want to paste it — an email, a document, a chat message — right-click again and select Paste. On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu appears, tap Copy link, then press and hold where you want to paste it and tap Paste.
The link now sits in your clipboard, which is temporary storage your device uses to hold one copied item at a time. Pasting it doesn't remove it from the clipboard, so you can paste the same link multiple times. Once you copy something else, the link disappears from the clipboard.
You can also copy a link from the address bar at the top of your browser. Click on the address bar to select it, then right-click and choose Copy. This copies the full web address of the page you're currently viewing.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click a link and select Copy link, then right-click where you want it and select Paste.
- On phones and tablets, press and hold the link to open a menu, tap Copy link, then press and hold in your destination and tap Paste.
- You can copy the address from your browser's address bar the same way you copy any other text.
- A copied link stays in your clipboard until you copy something else, so you can paste it as many times as you need.
Copying links from the address bar
The address bar is the field at the top of your browser that shows the web address of the page you're on. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you can click directly on the address bar to highlight the entire address, then right-click and select Copy.
This method is useful when you want to share the exact page you're viewing, not just a link embedded in the page. For example, if you're on a specific product page and want to send someone the link to that exact product, copying from the address bar ensures you get the right URL.
On a phone, the address bar works the same way. Tap it to highlight the address, then press and hold and select Copy.
Pasting links into different places
Once you've copied a link, you can paste it almost anywhere text goes: email messages, word processors, text documents, chat applications, social media posts, and web forms. The steps are the same — right-click (or press and hold on a phone) and select Paste.
Some applications paste links as clickable text automatically. Others paste the full web address as plain text. Both work the same way; the difference is just how they appear on screen. If you paste a link into an email and it shows as plain text like https://www.example.com instead of as a clickable blue link, the person receiving it can still click it to open the page.
If pasting doesn't work in a particular field, the application may not support pasting for security reasons, or the field may be designed for a specific type of input. Try typing the link manually instead, or look for an Insert link button or menu option in that application.
Keyboard shortcuts for copy and paste
If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) copies whatever you've selected, and Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) pastes it. These shortcuts work for links, text, files, and most other things you can select on your computer.
To use them with a link, right-click the link and select Copy link, then click where you want to paste it and press Ctrl+V or Command+V. You can also select text in the address bar and use Ctrl+C to copy it instead of using the right-click menu.
On phones and tablets, keyboard shortcuts vary by device and app, so the press-and-hold method is usually more reliable.
What to do if copy and paste isn't working
If right-clicking a link doesn't show a Copy link option, try a different browser. Some older or specialized browsers have different menus. If you're on a phone and pressing and holding doesn't work, try pressing and holding for a full second or two — some apps require a longer press.
If copy and paste works for regular text but not for links, the website or application may have disabled link copying for technical reasons. In that case, you can usually copy the address from your browser's address bar instead, which accomplishes the same thing.
If nothing pastes, check that you actually copied something first. Copy the link again, then immediately try pasting. If pasting still doesn't work, restart your browser or app — sometimes the clipboard gets stuck and a restart clears it.
Organizing links you copy frequently
If you find yourself copying the same links over and over, consider saving them in a bookmark folder instead. Most browsers let you right-click a link and select Bookmark this link or Add to bookmarks. You can then organize bookmarks into folders by topic, making them faster to find than copying and pasting each time.
Another option is to keep a document — a text file, a spreadsheet, or a note in an app like Google Keep or Apple Notes — where you paste links you use regularly. This creates a personal reference list you can search and update as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link without right-clicking?
Yes. Click on the address bar at the top of your browser to select the web address, then use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy it. You can also select any text on a page and copy it the same way.
What's the difference between copying a link and copying the address?
Copying a link (by right-clicking it) and copying the address from the address bar both give you the same web address. The only difference is where you're copying from. Copying the link is faster if the link is already on the page; copying the address bar is useful when you want the exact page you're currently viewing.
Will the link stay in my clipboard if I close the browser?
On most computers, yes — the clipboard persists even after you close the browser. On phones, it depends on the device and operating system, but generally a copied link stays available until you copy something else or restart the phone.
Can I copy multiple links at once?
Your clipboard holds only one item at a time, so copying a second link replaces the first. To save multiple links, paste them into a document or note app as you go, or use your browser's bookmark feature to save them for later.