How to Style Links: Hover, Focus, and Active States

Styling links is an essential part of web design, as it helps improve both aesthetics and user experience. In this guide, we will explore how to style links using pseudo-classes for their hover, focus, and active states, complete with HTML examples.

Understanding Link States

Links have several states that can be styled using CSS pseudo-classes:

• Normal State (a): The default appearance of a link.
• Hover State (a:hover): When the user places their cursor over the link.
• Focus State (a:focus): When the link is focused, typically via keyboard navigation or assistive devices.
• Active State (a:active): When the link is being clicked or activated.

Basic HTML Structure