What is the purpose of the target attribute in an tag?

Overview The target attribute specifies where the linked page will open when a user clicks on a hyperlink. It’s part of the (anchor) tag and defines the browsing context such as a new tab, a parent frame, or the current window. Example: Default Behavior (Same Tab) The linked page replaces the current one — this is the default even if you omit the target attribute. Example: Opening in a New Tab When target="_blank" is used, the linked page opens in a new browser tab or window. Example: Opening in a…

What is the purpose of the target attribute in an <a> tag?

LowEasyHtml

By FrontendAtlas Team · Updated Jan 30, 2026

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Quick Answer

The target attribute controls where a link opens. target="_blank" opens a new tab/window; target="_self" is the default. For _blank, add rel="noopener noreferrer" for security. New tabs are a UX and security trade-off, so test keyboard flow and rel attributes.

Answer

Overview

The target attribute specifies where the linked page will open when a user clicks on a hyperlink. It’s part of the <a> (anchor) tag and defines the browsing context such as a new tab, a parent frame, or the current window.

Value	Description	Behavior
`_self`	Opens the link in the same tab or frame	Default behavior
`_blank`	Opens the link in a new tab or window	Most commonly used for external links
`_parent`	Opens in the parent frame of the current one	Used inside nested frames
`_top`	Opens in the full body of the current window	Breaks out of any frames
framename	Opens the link in a specific named frame	Used in pages with multiple frames

Common values of the target attribute

Example: Default Behavior (Same Tab)

HTML

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

The linked page replaces the current one — this is the default even if you omit the target attribute.

Example: Opening in a New Tab

HTML

<a href="https://www.example.com" target="_blank">Open Example in New Tab</a>

When target="_blank" is used, the linked page opens in a new browser tab or window.

Example: Opening in a Named Frame

HTML

<a href="about.html" target="contentFrame">Open About Page</a>
<iframe name="contentFrame" width="400" height="200"></iframe>

In this example, the link opens inside the iframe with the name contentFrame.

Security Tip

When using target="_blank", always include rel="noopener noreferrer" to prevent security risks such as tab hijacking.
Example: <a href="..." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">/>

Practical scenario
Open external docs in a new tab while keeping internal links in the same tab.

Common pitfalls

Using target="_blank" without rel="noopener noreferrer", which is a security risk.
Overusing new tabs and hurting navigation flow.
Forgetting to announce new-tab behavior for accessibility.

Trade-off or test tip
New tabs can preserve context but reduce control for users. Test with keyboard navigation and verify rel attributes are set.

Still so complicated?

Think of target as telling the link where to go — stay here (_self), open a new tab (_blank), or load inside a specific frame (contentFrame).

Summary

The target attribute controls where a link opens.
_self is the default (same tab).
_blank opens a new tab or window.
Use rel="noopener noreferrer" with _blank for safety.
You can target specific frames by name.