Why an HTML mailto form often fails
A mailto action opens the visitor's configured email application. It does not submit reliably in the background, validate through your server, store a private copy, or prove that a message was sent.
Create a free formA copyable example
<form action="https://littlereply.com/api/submit" method="POST" data-littlereply="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY" data-locale="en" data-success="Your message has been received.">
<input type="hidden" name="_fq_key" value="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY" />
<input type="text" name="botcheck" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off" style="display:none" aria-hidden="true" />
<label for="contact-name">Full name *</label>
<input type="text" name="name" id="contact-name" required />
<label for="contact-email">Email address *</label>
<input type="email" name="email" id="contact-email" required />
<label for="contact-message">Message *</label>
<textarea name="message" id="contact-message" required rows="5"></textarea>
<button type="submit">Send message</button>
<p role="status" aria-live="polite"></p>
</form>
<!-- Accessible AJAX errors and duplicate-safe retries -->
<script src="https://littlereply.com/client/v1.js" data-api="https://littlereply.com" defer></script>The key YOUR_ACCESS_KEY is a placeholder to replace with your form’s public key. The code contains no server key or destination address.
What mailto actually does
The browser asks the operating system to open a mail application with prefilled fields. Behavior depends on installed software, account setup, browser permissions, and the visitor completing the send.
When mailto can still be acceptable
A visible email link can be a useful secondary contact option. Label it as an email link and avoid presenting it as a tracked form submission.
Use a dependable intake path
Post named fields to a server or hosted backend, render validation errors in the page, store accepted requests, and track notifications separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does mailto work on every device?
No. It depends on a compatible email application and configuration.
Can mailto hide my address?
No. The recipient address is visible in the page or generated URL.