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 go to where you want to paste it — an email, text message, document, or chat — right-click again and select Paste. On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the link until a menu appears, tap Copy, then tap and hold in your destination and tap Paste.

The link is now stored in your device's clipboard, which is temporary storage that holds one item at a time. When you copy something new, it replaces the old link. If you need to keep a link permanently, save it as a bookmark instead — that stores it in your browser so you can find it later without copying and pasting.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a link and select Copy, then right-click where you want it and select Paste — this works in emails, documents, and chat apps.
  • On phones and tablets, tap and hold the link to see the Copy option, then tap and hold in your destination to Paste.
  • The clipboard holds only one item at a time, so copying something new will erase the link you just copied.
  • If you want to keep a link permanently, bookmark it in your browser instead of relying on copy and paste.

Copying a link on Windows and Mac computers

Open the web page or document that contains the link you want to copy. Move your mouse over the link — the cursor should change to a pointing hand. Right-click on the link once. A menu will appear with several options.

Look for the option that says Copy link, Copy link address, or Copy URL depending on which browser you use. Click that option once. The link is now copied to your clipboard — you won't see anything happen on screen, but it is stored and ready to paste.

Now go to where you want to paste the link. This could be an email message, a Word document, a Google Doc, a text message, or any other place that accepts text. Right-click once in the spot where you want the link to appear. Select Paste from the menu. The link will appear instantly.

Copying a link on iPhone and iPad

Open Safari or another browser app and find the link you want to copy. Tap and hold your finger on the link for about one second — do not lift your finger yet. A menu will pop up with options including Copy.

Tap Copy once. The link is now in your clipboard. Open the app where you want to paste it — Messages, Mail, Notes, or any other app. Tap and hold your finger in the text field where you want the link to go. A menu will appear with a Paste option. Tap Paste and the link will appear.

If you do not see a Paste option, the app may not support pasting links. Try tapping once in the text field first to place your cursor there, then tap and hold again to bring up the menu.

Copying a link on Android phones and tablets

Open Chrome, Firefox, or another browser app and locate the link. Tap and hold your finger on the link for one to two seconds. A menu will appear with several options, usually including Copy link or Copy link address.

Tap that option. The link is now copied to your clipboard. Open the app where you want to paste it — Gmail, Messages, WhatsApp, or any text app. Tap in the text field where the link should go. Tap and hold your finger until a menu appears, then tap Paste. The link will appear in the text field.

Some Android apps have a Paste button in the toolbar instead of a menu. If you do not see a Paste option when you tap and hold, look for a Paste button at the top of the keyboard or in the app's menu.

What to do if Paste is not working

If you copied a link but Paste is grayed out or not appearing, the most common reason is that your clipboard is empty. This happens when you copy something else after copying the link. Go back and copy the link again, then immediately paste it without doing anything else in between.

On computers, if Paste is still not working, try using the keyboard shortcut instead of the menu. On Windows, press Ctrl + V. On Mac, press Command + V. If the keyboard shortcut works but the menu does not, the app may have a different way of pasting.

On phones, make sure you are tapping and holding in a text field that accepts links. Some apps like Instagram or Snapchat do not allow pasting links in certain places. Try pasting in a different app first to confirm your clipboard is working, then try the original app again.

Copying a link from your browser's address bar

You can also copy the link to the page you are currently viewing by copying from the address bar at the top of your browser. On a computer, click once on the address bar to select it, then right-click and select Copy. On a phone, tap the address bar, tap and hold to select the text, then tap Copy.

This method is useful when you want to share the exact page you are looking at. The link will be the full web address, such as www.example.com/article/how-to-copy-paste. You can then paste this link anywhere you want to share it.

Saving a link as a bookmark instead

If you plan to use a link multiple times, bookmarking it is faster than copying and pasting each time. On a computer, right-click the link and select Bookmark this link, or click the star icon in your browser's address bar. On a phone, tap and hold the link, then tap Add bookmark or Save bookmark.

Bookmarks are stored in your browser's bookmark menu or folder, and they stay there until you delete them. You can organize bookmarks into folders by topic, making them easy to find later. This is much more reliable than the clipboard, which only holds one item and loses it when you copy something else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy multiple links at once?

No, your clipboard holds only one item at a time. If you copy a second link before pasting the first one, the first link is erased. If you need to copy several links, paste each one immediately after copying it, or use bookmarks to save them permanently instead.

What happens to a copied link if I turn off my device?

The clipboard is erased when you turn off your device or restart it. If you copied a link and then shut down your computer or phone, that link will be gone when you turn it back on. Bookmark important links instead so they survive a restart.

Why does the link look different after I paste it?

Some apps automatically shorten links or change how they appear. The link itself is still correct and will work the same way. If you are concerned the link changed, click it to make sure it goes to the right page.

Can I copy a link from an email or text message?

Yes, the process is the same. On a computer, right-click the link in the email and select Copy. On a phone, tap and hold the link and select Copy. Then paste it wherever you need it. This works in Gmail, Outlook, Messages, WhatsApp, and most other apps.

Is it safe to paste links from unknown sources?

Be cautious with links from people you do not know or trust. A link can look like it goes to one place but actually go somewhere else. Before clicking a pasted link, hover over it (on a computer) or tap and hold it (on a phone) to see the real web address it points to.