Back link
Use the back link component to help users go back to the previous page in a multi-page transaction.
New WCAG 2.2 criteria affect this component
To use the ‘Back link’ and meet the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 criteria, make sure that users can successfully:
- avoid re-entering information they've previously given when they go back to a page
- interact with back links
See the full list of components and patterns affected by WCAG 2.2.
Although browsers have a back button, some sites break when you use it - so many users avoid it, instead of losing their progress in a service. Also, not all users are aware of the back button.
<a href="#" class="govuk-back-link">Back</a>{% from "govuk/components/back-link/macro.njk" import govukBackLink %}
{{ govukBackLink({
text: "Back",
href: "#"
}) }}When to use this component
Always include the back link component on GOV.UK question pages.
You can include a back link on other pages within a multi-page transaction, if it makes sense to do so.
When not to use this component
Never use the back link component together with breadcrumbs. If necessary, you should do research with your users to learn which they find more helpful in your service.
How it works
Always place back links at the top of a page, before the <main> element. Placing them here means that the ‘Skip to main content’ link allows the user to skip all navigation links, including the back link.
Make sure the link takes users to the previous page they were on, in the state they last saw it.
If a user decides to go back to a previous page, make sure information they have already entered is pre-populated.
Do not pre-populate if the information is no longer valid, or when pre-populating would be a major safety or security concern. This is to comply with WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.7 Redundant entry.
Make sure no other interactive elements are too close to the back link. This is to make sure users can easily interact with the back link. This relates to WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.5.8 Target size (minimum).
Where possible, ensure the back link works even when JavaScript is not available. If this is not possible, you should hide the back link when JavaScript is not available.
There are 2 ways to use the back link component. You can use HTML or, if you are using Nunjucks or the GOV.UK Prototype Kit, you can use the Nunjucks macro.
<a href="#" class="govuk-back-link">Back</a>{% from "govuk/components/back-link/macro.njk" import govukBackLink %}
{{ govukBackLink({
text: "Back",
href: "#"
}) }}Using the default link text (‘Back’) is ideal for services with a simple journey. For example, applying for a National Insurance number. Users will only ever go back to the previous page in the service.
For more complex user journeys, consider using different link text, like ‘Go back to [page]’. For example, in an admin system with many different areas. In this case, if you used ‘Back’, it might not be clear to users what they are going back to.
Back links on dark backgrounds
Use the govuk-back-link--inverse modifier class to show a white link on a dark background – for example, in headers, custom components, and patterns with darker backgrounds.
Make sure all users can see the back link – the background colour must have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 with white.
Help improve this component
To help make sure that this page is useful, relevant and up to date, you can:
- take part in the ‘Back link’ discussion on GitHub and share your research
- propose a change – read more about how to propose changes in GitHub
Tell us if your service uses this component
Take part in our usage survey (opens in a new tab) to help us improve this component to better meet the needs of the services that use it.
Need help?
If you’ve got a question about the GOV.UK Design System, contact the team.