:link

The :link CSS pseudo-class represents links (such as an anchor) that have not yet been visited.

/* Selects any link that has not been visited yet */
a:link {
  color: red;
}

Styles defined by the :link pseudo-class will be overridden by any subsequent link-related pseudo-class (:active, :hover, or :visited) that has at least equal specificity. To style links appropriately, put the :link rule before all other link-related rules, as defined by the LVHA-order: :link:visited:hover:active.

Syntax

:link

Examples

a:link { color: cyan; }
.external:link { color: green; }

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of ':link' in that specification.
Living Standard  
Selectors Level 4
The definition of ':link' in that specification.
Working Draft No change.
Selectors Level 3
The definition of ':link' in that specification.
Recommendation No change.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of ':link' in that specification.
Recommendation Lift the restriction to only apply it for <a> element.
CSS Level 1
The definition of ':link' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 1 (Yes) 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) 3.0 3.5 1.0
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support 1.5 (Yes) 1.0 (1.9.2) ? ? 3.2

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: mfluehr,