Links and URLs in LaTeX
Load hyperref, then write \url{https://...} to show an address or \href{https://...}{link text} to link words; both become clickable links in the PDF.
\url and \href
\url{...} prints an address in a form that can contain _, %, # and ~ without escaping, and links it. \href{address}{text} links any text you choose.
An address and a linked phrase
The data is at \url{https://example.com/data_2024/v44}.
Read the \href{https://example.com/guide}{short guide} first.In the PDF from Scissor LaTeX both are links you can click. On the page they look like the surrounding text: links are not coloured or boxed.
E-mail and other link types
\href takes any kind of address, so mailto: gives an e-mail link.
An e-mail link
Questions go to
\href{mailto:erika.mustermann@example.com}{Erika Mustermann}.Links inside the document
\hyperref[label]{text} links your own text to a label, for example a section. To print the number of the section as a link, \ref is enough; \autoref adds the word "Section" (see Labels and cross-references).
\hyperref to a label
\section{Appendix notes}
\label{sec:notes}
Details are in the \hyperref[sec:notes]{notes at the end},
which is \autoref{sec:notes}.Commands and settings
| Command | In Scissor LaTeX | Notes |
|---|---|---|
\url{address} | Works | Shown as typed, linked. |
\href{address}{text} | Works | http, https, mailto and other schemes. |
\hyperref[label]{text} | Works | Links to the label. |
\path{...} | Works | Shown in monospace, not linked. |
\nolinkurl{...} | Partly | Reported as an unknown command; the address is kept as plain text. |
\hypersetup{...} | Left out | Colours, borders and PDF metadata settings are ignored. |
\hyperlink{name}{text}, \hypertarget{name}{text} | Partly | The text is kept; no link is made. |
\texorpdfstring{tex}{pdf} | Works | The first argument is used. |
Long addresses
A long \url can break at / and similar characters at the end of a line, so it does not run into the margin. Breaking inside a word does not happen; if an address is still too long, shorten it, or use \href with a short text.
A long address at the end of a line
The full record, including every measurement, is kept at
\url{https://example.com/archive/2024/measurements/series-44/final/index.html}.
What differs from a TeX installation
For the package, see hyperref. The full manuals are on CTAN: hyperref and url.
Questions and answers
How do I insert a hyperlink in LaTeX?
Load hyperref and write \href{https://example.com}{link text}. For an address shown as it is, write \url{https://example.com}.
How do I make links blue in LaTeX?
In a TeX installation, \hypersetup{colorlinks=true, urlcolor=blue} does it. Scissor LaTeX ignores those settings in ordinary documents, so links look like normal text there, but they are still clickable in the PDF.
Do I need to escape underscores in a URL?
Not inside \url{...} or the first argument of \href. Both accept _, %, # and ~ as they are.
Every example on this page is typeset by Scissor LaTeX when the site is built. Last updated 2026-11-06.