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What's default HTML/CSS link color?

html
responsive-design
css-properties
web-development
Nikita BarsukovbyNikita Barsukov·Sep 18, 2024
TLDR

Typically, hyperlink default colors assigned by browsers are #0000EE for unvisited links and #551A8B for visited links. However, to ensure a consistent look across all browsers, manually define your link styles in your CSS:

a:link { color: #0000EE; } /* Unvisited link: as blue as a clear sky */ a:visited { color: #551A8B; } /* Visited link: like grapes in the sun */ a:hover { color: #FF0000; } /* Hover: as red as a programmer's eyes at 3am */ a:active { color: #FF0000; } /* Active: as angry as a user encountering a 404 error */

Digging into browser defaults

Depending on the browser, default link colors can vary. These defaults are engineered to optimize the user experience. So, while "active" link color is #EE0000 in Firefox, other browsers may be painting a different picture! Remember, CSS properties override these li'l defaults.

Unearthing browser default colors

For those out there with an adventurous spirit and are curious to know these defaults, here's a good old trick. Dare to navigate to about:blank, splice a link in, and voila, inspect the computed styles. It is thus we learn that Chrome's default is #007bff, and you can get system colors like -moz-nativehyperlinktext for customizing Firefox and other Gecko-based browsers.

Reset, recycle, 'revert'

In CSS land, we actually don't have a magic wand to revert a property back to default. The revert keyword does the job but it's not the surgical tool you may think; it applies to all properties, not just one. It's more of a sledgehammer than a scalpel.

Preaching the best practice: embody your own style

Lean on defaults? Nah. The world of web design is your oyster, so go wild with a custom color scheme! It promotes brand consistency and sidesteps any browser to browser discrepancies. It's like having a predictable weather report for your website.

Create your own color chronicles

Consistency matters. Embrace your branding colors and define hyperlinks. :link, :visited, :hover, and :active are runners on the CSS track, ready to carry the baton of your unique visual style.

Accessibility is your friend

Remember, designing for everyone is awesome. Contrast makes a world of difference to people with visual impairment. Free tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker can help your hyperlinks enjoy their day in the sun!

Why stop at colors? Add special icons or decorations to your links using pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after. They're like CSS's bonus points for the creatively-minded.

The wisdom behind cross-browser compatibility

You've put in effort. The least the browsers can do is show it off right? Testing across different browsers ensures your styles make heads turn in all the right ways.