Tel links let supported devices offer to call a number. Use a clear label and a phone number that is suitable for dialing. The important question is always where the link leads and whether the person reading the page can predict it.
What You Need to Know
International formats with a leading plus and country code are more portable. Users on desktop devices may get a prompt or no compatible calling application.
Links are the pathways through a website. The words on a link should help someone choose where to go before clicking it.
Example: See It in Action
Take a look at this small piece of HTML. You can use it in a practice document and change the text to make it your own.
This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.
<p><a href="tel:+12025550124">Call the office</a>
</p>
<p>Visible text can be friendly; the number should be dialable.</p>
<p>Include a country calling code for international use.</p>Let’s Understand the Example
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- A p groups a paragraph of related text. Start another paragraph for a new thought.
- Href contains the destination of a link. A value starting with # points to an id on the same page.
The first example link points to tel:+12025550124. Check whether that destination exists relative to the document. A link changes where readers go; it does not perform an action such as saving a form.
What Should You See?
You should see a link named “Call the office”. Selecting it leads to tel:+12025550124 when that destination exists. Try it with the mouse and the keyboard.
Imagine this link is read out of context. Would its text still explain the destination? Rename unclear links before trying to make them look nicer with CSS.
Try It Yourself
- Create an accessible telephone link that displays a friendly local number.
- Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
- Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Assuming a telephone link works identically on every computer and browser.
- Avoid dead links, empty href values and clickable-looking text without a real destination.
Key Takeaways
- Tel links let supported devices offer to call a number.
- An a element becomes a working link when it has an href. Its visible text should tell readers where they will go.
- International formats with a leading plus and country code are more portable. Users on desktop devices may get a prompt or no compatible calling application.