There are different methods of opening a new blank tab or a link in a new tab in Internet browsers. The following sections show you how to do both. To proceed, make your selection from the list below and follow the instructions.

How to open a new blank tab

Method one

The fastest method to open a new tab in all browsers is to press the shortcut key combination Ctrl+T (PC users) or Command+T (Mac users).

  • How to open a new blank tab.
  • How to open a hyperlink in a new tab.
  • Other helpful browser tab tricks.

Method two

Each browser has a small icon next to the tab that is farthest to the right in the tab bar. Users may click this icon to open a new tab. Below are examples of what these icons look like in the various browsers.

Google Chrome - Mozilla Firefox - Microsoft Edge - Internet Explorer - Opera -

Method three

Right-click a blank portion of the tab bar and select New Tab from the drop-down menu that appears.

This method only works in Google Chrome and Opera.

All modern browsers support the ability to open a link in a new tab.

  • Open the browser of your choice.
  • Locate the link you want to open in a new tab.
  • Right-click the link and select Open link in new tab from the drop-down menu that appears.

Other helpful browser tab tricks

  • Mistakenly close a tab? Press Ctrl+Shift+T to open the last closed tab. This action can be performed several times to open multiple tabs that were closed.
  • Tabs can be arranged by clicking a tab and dragging it to a different location on the tab bar.
  • Users may move forward through tabs by pressing Ctrl+Tab, and backward by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Tab.

If your mouse has a middle wheel, hover the cursor over the link and press down on the wheel. If done properly, the link opens in a new tab.

Users may also hold the Ctrl key and press the left mouse button to open a link in a new tab.

  • How to create a link that opens a new web page window or tab.
  • See the tab definition for related information and links.
  • Internet browser help and information.