How to Open Links in a New Tab using target="_blank" in HTML

When you add a hyperlink in HTML using the <a> tag, by default, the link opens in the same browser tab.

But sometimes you may want the link to open in a new tab or window—for example, when linking to an external website.

 This is done using the target="_blank" attribute.

Syntax

 
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Visit Example</a>

  • href → URL of the page you want to open.

  • target="_blank" → tells the browser to open the link in a new tab (or new window, depending on browser settings).

    Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Target _blank Example</title>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Click below to visit Google:</p>
  <a href="https://www.google.com" target="_blank">Open Google in New Tab</a>
</body>
</html>

When you click the link, Google will open in a new tab, and your current page stays open.

Why Use target="_blank"?

  • To keep users on your website while letting them explore other resources.
  •  Useful for external links (so users don’t lose your site).
  •  Helpful in blogs, documentation, and reference links.

Important Note: Security Best Practice

When using target="_blank", always add rel="noopener noreferrer" to prevent potential security risks (like tabnabbing attacks).

Example with Security:

 
<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Visit Example Securely </a>

Difference Between Common Target Values

ValueBehavior
_self (default)Opens link in the same tab
_blankOpens link in a new tab/window
_parentOpens link in parent frame (if using frames)
_topOpens link in full body of the window

FAQs

Q1. Does target="_blank" always open a new tab?
Not always. Some browsers or user settings may open it in a new window instead.

Q2. Should I use _blank for all links?
No. Use it only for external links or when you want to keep users on your site.

Q3. Why add rel="noopener noreferrer"?
It prevents the newly opened tab from accessing your page, which improves security and performance.

Q4. Is _blank good for SEO?
It does not affect SEO directly. But keeping users on your page longer can reduce bounce rates, which is good for user experience.