The fastest way to copy a link depends on what device you're using
On a computer, right-click the link and select "Copy link" or "Copy link address" from the menu that appears. On a phone or tablet, press and hold the link until a menu pops up, then tap "Copy link" or the equivalent option. After you copy, you can paste the link anywhere — into an email, a message, a document, or a search bar — by right-clicking (or long-pressing on mobile) and selecting "Paste", or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac.
The method works the same way whether you're using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser. The link itself is now stored temporarily in your device's clipboard, which is like a temporary holding area for text and images you copy. You can paste it immediately or come back to it later — though copying something else will replace it.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click a link on a computer and select "Copy link" to store it in your clipboard without opening the page.
- On a phone or tablet, press and hold a link until a menu appears, then tap "Copy link" or "Copy URL".
- Paste the link anywhere using Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac, or right-click and select "Paste" on mobile.
- Copying a link does not open the page or notify the website that you copied it — it is a private action on your device.
Copying a link on Windows or Mac
Open your browser and find the link you want to copy. It can be a link in an article, a search result, a social media post, or anywhere else on a webpage. Right-click directly on the link text or the underlined area. A small menu will appear with several options.
Look for an option that says "Copy link", "Copy link address", "Copy URL", or sometimes just "Copy". The exact wording varies by browser, but the result is the same — the link address is now copied to your clipboard. You do not need to select or highlight the link first; right-clicking alone is enough.
Once copied, open the place where you want to paste it: an email, a text document, a message, or anywhere else. Right-click in that location and select "Paste", or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac. The full link will appear.
Copying a link on iPhone or iPad
Find the link in Safari, Chrome, or another browser app. Press and hold your finger on the link for about one second. A menu will pop up with several options. On Safari, you will see "Copy" or "Copy Link". On Chrome, the option is usually "Copy link".
Tap that option. The link is now in your clipboard. Open the app or location where you want to paste it — Messages, Mail, Notes, or any other app. Press and hold in the text area until a menu appears, then tap "Paste". The link will appear as a full web address.
Copying a link on Android
Open the link in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser. Press and hold your finger on the link until a menu appears. The menu will show several options, including "Copy link" or "Copy link address".
Tap that option. The link is now copied. Open the app where you want to paste it — Gmail, Messages, Keep, or any other app. Press and hold in the text field until a menu appears with a "Paste" option, then tap it. The link will appear in full.
Copying the address bar link instead
If you want to copy the link of the page you are currently viewing, you do not need to find a link on the page itself. Instead, look at the address bar at the top of your browser — this is where the website address appears. On a computer, click once on the address bar to select it, then right-click and choose "Copy", or use Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac.
On a phone, tap the address bar, then press and hold until a "Copy" option appears. This method copies the exact page you are on, which is useful when you want to share the current page with someone else or save it for later.
What happens after you copy a link
Copying a link is completely private. The website does not know you copied it, and no notification is sent anywhere. The link sits in your device's clipboard until you paste it or until you copy something else, which will replace it.
If you close your browser or restart your device, the link may be lost from your clipboard depending on your device settings. If you need to keep a link for longer, paste it into a document, email draft, or note-taking app like Google Keep or Apple Notes instead of leaving it only in your clipboard.
Copying links that do not look like links
Some websites hide links inside buttons or images. If you see a button that says "Read more" or "Learn more", or an image you think might be clickable, right-click on it anyway. If it is a link, the copy option will appear in the menu. If it is not a link, you will see different options like "Save image" or "Inspect element".
On mobile, the same rule applies: press and hold on anything that might be a link. If the copy menu appears, it is a link. If a different menu appears, it is not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a link without opening the page?
Yes. Right-clicking (or long-pressing on mobile) and selecting "Copy link" copies the address without opening the page. The page never loads and the website does not know you copied it.
What if the copy option does not appear when I right-click?
The item you clicked may not be a link. Try right-clicking on the underlined text itself rather than near it. If you are on a phone, make sure you are pressing and holding long enough — usually one to two seconds. Some websites disable right-click menus, but you can usually still copy the address bar link instead.
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. On some phones, clipboard data may clear after a few hours or when you lock the screen. If you need to keep a link, paste it into a note or document instead.
Is it safe to copy and paste links from unknown sources?
Copying a link is safe — it just stores the address. Pasting and clicking it is what matters. Do not click links from sources you do not trust, as they may lead to harmful websites. If you copy a link but are unsure about it, you can paste it into the address bar and read the full address before pressing Enter to visit it.