How to Add Hyperlinks in Gmail

Adding hyperlinks to your Gmail messages turns plain text into clickable links, making your emails cleaner and more professional. Instead of pasting a long URL, you can link a word or phrase like “click here” or “our website.” This guide walks you through the process on both desktop and mobile, plus how to edit, remove, and troubleshoot links.

What You’ll Need

• A Gmail account (free) and access to your inbox.
• The URL you want to link to (copy it beforehand to save time).
• A web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on desktop, or the Gmail app on your phone (iOS/Android).

Step-by-Step

On Desktop (Web Browser)

1. Open Gmail and start composing: Go to mail.google.com and sign in. Click the Compose button (top left).
2. Write your message: Type the text you want to turn into a link. For example, “Visit our website.”
3. Select the text: Click and drag your mouse over the word or phrase you want to hyperlink. It will be highlighted in blue.
4. Click the link icon: In the formatting toolbar at the bottom of the compose window, click the link icon (looks like a chain link). Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac).
5. Enter the URL: In the “Edit Link” dialog box, paste or type the full web address (e.g., https://www.example.com). Make sure to include https:// or http://.
6. Apply the link: Click the OK button. Your selected text will now appear as a clickable link (usually blue and underlined).
7. Send your email: Continue writing your message and hit Send when done.

On Mobile (Gmail App)

1. Open the Gmail app and tap the Compose button (pencil icon).
2. Write your message and type the text you want to link.
3. Select the text: Tap and hold on a word, then drag the selection handles to highlight the full phrase.
4. Tap the link icon: In the formatting bar above the keyboard, tap the link icon (chain link). If you don’t see it, tap the right arrow to reveal more formatting options.
5. Enter the URL: In the dialog, paste or type the full URL, then tap OK (or the checkmark).
6. Send your email: The text is now a link. Complete your message and tap the send arrow.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the protocol: Typing www.example.com without https:// may still work, but it’s safer to include it. Gmail often auto-detects, but manual entry is more reliable.
• Linking the wrong text: Make sure you select the exact words you want to be clickable. If you select extra spaces or punctuation, the link may look messy.
• Using a broken URL: Double-check the URL for typos. A single wrong character can lead to a 404 error.
• Not testing the link: Before sending, click the link in your draft to verify it goes to the right page. This is especially important for important emails.
• Linking in plain text mode: If you’re using plain text format (not rich text), the link icon won’t be available. Switch to “Rich text” mode by clicking the three-dot menu in the compose toolbar and selecting “Rich text.”

Tips

• Use descriptive anchor text: Instead of “click here,” use something meaningful like “our pricing page” or “the attached report.” This helps the recipient know what to expect.
• Shorten long URLs: If a URL is very long, consider using a link shortener (like Bitly) before pasting it, or just link a short phrase.
• Add links to images: You can also hyperlink an image. Select the image in your email, then click the link icon and enter the URL.
• Edit a link: To change a link, click on the linked text, then click the link icon again. You’ll see options to edit the URL or remove it.
• Keyboard shortcut: On desktop, Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) is a huge time-saver.

Troubleshooting

• Link icon is grayed out: This usually means you’re in plain text mode. Click the three-dot menu at the bottom of the compose window and select “Rich text.” Then try again.
• Link doesn’t work when clicked: Check the URL for errors. Make sure it starts with http:// or https://. Also, verify the link opens in a new tab by right-clicking and selecting “Open link in new tab” to see if it’s a browser issue.
• Can’t select text: If you’re having trouble highlighting text, try clicking and dragging slowly, or double-click to select a single word.
• Link is not clickable in the sent email: Some email clients (like Outlook) may not render links if the text format is not rich. Ensure you’re sending in HTML format (default) and not plain text.
• Pasting a URL automatically becomes a link: That’s normal. Gmail auto-links URLs. If you want plain text, you can remove the link by clicking on it and selecting “Remove link.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a hyperlink to an email I’m replying to?

Yes, the process is the same. When replying, use the compose window and follow the steps above.

How do I remove a hyperlink without deleting the text?

Click on the linked text, then click the link icon. In the dialog, click “Remove” (or the trash icon). The text will remain, but the link will be gone.

Can I link to an email address?

Yes. Instead of a web URL, type mailto:someone@example.com in the URL field. This will open the recipient’s email client when clicked.

Why does my link not work in the recipient’s email?

This can happen if the recipient’s email client blocks links (some security settings) or if the URL is malformed. Always use the full https:// prefix and test the link before sending.

Can I add multiple links in one email?

Absolutely. Repeat the process for each text or image you want to link. There’s no limit.

Does Gmail automatically hyperlink URLs I paste?

Yes, Gmail automatically converts pasted URLs into clickable links. If you prefer plain text, you can remove the link right after pasting by clicking on it and selecting “Remove link.”

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