> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://edrus.gitbook.io/mt-it/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://edrus.gitbook.io/mt-it/2nd-month/week-6/dom-document-object-model/working-with-attributes/getattribute.md).
# getAttribute()
### Introduction to the JavaScript `getAttribute()` method
To get the value of an attribute on a specified element, you call the `getAttribute()` method of the element:
```javascript
let value = element.getAttribute(name);
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
```
#### Parameters
The `getAttribute()` accepts an argument which is the name of the attribute from which you want to return the value.
#### Return value
If the attribute exists on the element, the `getAttribute()` returns a string that represents the value of the attribute. In case the attribute does not exist, the `getAttribute()` returns `null`.
Note that you can use the `hasAttribute()` method to check if the attribute exists on the element before getting its value.
### JavaScript `getAttribute()` example
Consider the following example:
```xml
JS getAttribute() Demo
JavaScript Tutorial
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)
```
Output
```
_blank
```
How it works:
* First, select the link element with the id `js` using the [`querySelector()`](https://www.javascripttutorial.net/javascript-dom/javascript-queryselector/) method.
* Second, get the target attribute of the link by calling the `getAttribute()` of the selected link element.
* Third, show the value of the target on the Console window.
The following example uses the `getAttribute()` method to get the value of the title attribute of the link element with the id `js`:
```javascript
let link = document.querySelector('#js');
if (link) {
let title = link.getAttribute('title');
console.log(title);
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
```
Output:
```javascript
null
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
```
### Summary
* Get the value of an attribute of a specified element by calling the `getAttribute()` method on the element.
* The `getAttribute()` returns null if the attribute does not exist.