Should all links on a webpage be underlined?

Question

Is there a rule that states that all links should be underlined to make them look like links? I have seen many sites where the footer, for example, does not have underlined links.

Answer 1

There's no rule, but it's good design to make your design act as users expect it to (and most users expect links in text to be underlined). So if you don't underline them, make sure the look obviously clickable. See: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20040510.html

I personally can't stand links that aren't underlined in text (See: Stack Overflow). You shouldn't have to scrub the text see what's clickable.

Answer 2

I would say no, underlining links is pretty gross these days. Do you see any underlined text on this site?

Answer 3

There's no rule, but it does help people navigate your site if the links on a webpage stand out somehow from the surrounding text, and one convenient way to do this is to have them underlined. That way, you can color them however you like, but they'll still stand out.

Answer 4

Such as Stackoverflow for example. =p

Do whatever you want. Personally, I like the clean look of links without underlines for a more "button-esque" feel on my sites.

Answer 5

Links should be distinguishable from normal text. If you do that by underlining them or just by changing its color is your decision. Underlining is just the classic way.

Answer 6

Links don't have to be underlined -- I'd argue that underlining is itself hard to read and a bad default standard we've inherited.

But links should be consistent. In other words, whatever color or style your links are, stick with that same color and style throughout the site whenever possible. Don't make one thing clickable in red, and another thing clickable in green.

And yes, we break this rule on Stack Overflow sometimes. Notice that the title of this question is a clickable link, but it's not in the link color because that would be sort of .. obnoxious.

Answer 7

The biggest argument that I've seen (can't point out where exactly as it has been a while) for using an underline is accessibility. Although changing the color of links may be enough for those users that have the privilege of seeing color, for those who are colorblind they may have extreme issues trying to find the links without any other differentiation.

I find that although the underline isn't the cleanest look, it doesn't look terrible with many pros including the accessibility I mentioned above as well as the instant "know how to use" factor the underline is well worth it. I speak of these points with respect to links in bodies of text. In main site navigation, footers and other very obvious places you can customize more freely of course.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I saw that no one mentioned the color-blind argument for underlined links so I figured it would be worth it for anyone in the future who reads this.

Answer 8

Its an aesthetic decision - what looks best is up to you. There are no web standards that define this kind of thing.

Answer 9

What other visual cue can you offer a user that the text is a link and not normal text? A different color works, perhaps a style?

Visually an underline is simple and universal, but there is no hard rule. Just make them obvious.

Answer 10

Not necessarily, but when the user hovers the link, it could be underlined instead. And the link should stand out some way, either being bolder or a different color. Blue is an excellent hyperlink color.

Answer 11

There are no "rules" you have to follow. It's a common interface convention that tells people that those words are, in fact, links. If you choose not to underline them, you should find some other method to show people which words are links, if it isn't clear.

Answer 12

As long as a link is distinct on the page as being a link you should be alright.

For example:

a different color than the rest of the text

changing color on hover

having a background color

Answer 13

There's no hard-and-fast rule that says that they must be underlined, however there is a general convention that links should exhibit a noticeable difference to regular text (and should, at all times display the link cursor, e.g. the 'hand' cursor).

It is, however, generally accepted that users recognise underlined links more quickly than those that don't conform to something that someone would 'expect' to be a link.

Answer 14

Links should look distinguishable and clickable without having to hover your mouse over the screen. If you want to go away from the normal layout it's best to have a friend, one that's not tech savvy try out the site to see what they think. If they can navigate from page to page without problems or hiccups then the page is fine otherwise you should reconsider your approach. It's one nice thing to have a good looking site it's another to make it usable.

Answer 15

If you only use colored text for links then the underline becomes unnecessary.

In cases where the design does not allow for a high contrast link color then you may need to use under line.

Answer 16

What I really hate are sites that underline text which aern't links... please don't do that.

Answer 17

The page should be kept consistent - if one link is underlined then they all should be. If you don't like underlined links, no big deal - just keep them all the same for a better UI I think.

Answer 18

The important thing with all web design is clarity. If you do not underline your links then you should provide at least a consistent method of rendering (back or fore colour for example) and some intuative visual feedback to the user to indicate that the link is there such as underline on hover, mouse icon change or change in previous fore or back colour.

The best way to test these things is create a mockup and let your gran at it. If she understands first time then you have made it clear!

Happy coding.

Answer 19

I don't mind either way. Well almost.
At least, blue underlines are a clear signal that users identify as links. A well established convention as well as a browser default. That's why most Web design articles advice to avoid underline typographic effect.
And I dislike links that doesn't look like links. For example I recently found a site with black text and dark gray links (or was it the reverse?) of exact same font: it was hard to see links (unless scanning with the mouse! ack!).
Likewise, it is good practice to keep visited links distinguishable from unvisited ones: it is a good navigation help.

Answer 20

It really depends if having them stand out on the page is a useful property to have.

Wikipedia for instance takes the line off, which is probably a good thing considering half of the page would be underlined if left to defaults.

Answer 21

As long as it is obvious what is and isn't a link, I think getting rid of underlined links is perfectly acceptable.