This article is also available in other languages:
``` --- ## Important Considerations 1. **SEO Best Practices:** While the `hreflang` attribute on `` tags provides semantic hints to search engines, for comprehensive international SEO, it is highly recommended to also use `` tags inside the `` section of your HTML document, or configure them via HTTP headers and XML Sitemaps. 2. **User Experience:** Browsers do not automatically translate pages based on the `hreflang` attribute. It is primarily used by search engines to serve the correct language version of a page in localized search results.Att A Hreflang
## HTML `` `hreflang` Attribute
The `hreflang` attribute of the `` (anchor) tag specifies the language of the linked document. It helps search engines and browsers understand the language of the target page before a user clicks the link.
---
## Browser Support
The `hreflang` attribute is fully supported by all major modern web browsers:
* Google Chrome
* Mozilla Firefox
* Microsoft Edge / Internet Explorer
* Safari
* Opera
---
## Definition and Usage
* The `hreflang` attribute indicates the language of the destination URL specified in the `href` attribute.
* **Prerequisite:** This attribute is only functional when the `href` attribute is present on the `` tag.
* **Difference from `lang`:** Unlike the global `lang` attribute (which defines the language of the element's *current* content), the `hreflang` attribute specifies the language of the *linked* document.
---
## HTML 4.01 vs. HTML5
There are no differences in the behavior or support of the `hreflang` attribute between HTML 4.01 and HTML5.
---
## Syntax
```html
Link Text
```
### Attribute Values
| Value | Description |
| :--- | :--- |
| *`language_code`* | A two-letter ISO 639-1 language code (e.g., `en` for English, `es` for Spanish, `fr` for French) that specifies the language of the linked document. It can also include an optional country code suffix (e.g., `en-us` or `en-gb`). |
---
## Code Examples
### Example 1: Linking to an English Document
In this example, the link points to an English website. The `hreflang` attribute informs search engines and browsers that the destination page is in English.
```html
Visit our English Site
```
### Example 2: Linking to Multiple Language Versions
This is a common pattern for multi-language websites, allowing users and search crawlers to navigate between localized versions of a page.
```html
YouTip