diff --git a/js/tests/unit/tab.js b/js/tests/unit/tab.js
index a0c4ddf15547..94eb58de162f 100644
--- a/js/tests/unit/tab.js
+++ b/js/tests/unit/tab.js
@@ -44,14 +44,30 @@ $(function () {
     assert.strictEqual($tab[0], $el[0], 'collection contains element')
   })
 
-  QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id', function (assert) {
+  QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id (using buttons, the preferred semantic way)', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(2)
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav">' +
-        '<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
 
-    $('<ul><li id="home"/><li id="profile"/></ul>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
+    $('<ul><li id="home" role="tabpanel"/><li id="profile" role="tabpanel"/></ul>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
+
+    $(tabsHTML).find('li:last-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
+    assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'profile')
+
+    $(tabsHTML).find('li:first-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
+    assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'home')
+  })
+
+  QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id (using links for tabs - not ideal, but still supported)', function (assert) {
+    assert.expect(2)
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><a href="#home" role="tab">Home</a></li>' +
+        '<li><a href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
+        '</ul>'
+
+    $('<ul><li id="home" role="tabpanel"/><li id="profile" role="tabpanel"/></ul>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
     $(tabsHTML).find('li:last-child a').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'profile')
@@ -79,48 +95,48 @@ $(function () {
   QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id in ordered list', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(2)
     var pillsHTML = '<ol class="nav nav-pills">' +
-        '<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ol>'
 
-    $('<ol><li id="home"/><li id="profile"/></ol>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
+    $('<ol><li id="home" role="tabpanel"/><li id="profile" role="tabpanel"/></ol>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
-    $(pillsHTML).find('li:last-child a').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(pillsHTML).find('li:last-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'profile')
 
-    $(pillsHTML).find('li:first-child a').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(pillsHTML).find('li:first-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'home')
   })
 
   QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id in nav list', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(2)
     var tabsHTML = '<nav class="nav">' +
-                      '<a href="#home">Home</a>' +
-                      '<a href="#profile">Profile</a>' +
+                      '<button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button>' +
+                      '<button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a>' +
                     '</nav>'
 
-    $('<nav><div id="home"></div><div id="profile"></div></nav>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
+    $('<div><div id="home" role="tabpanel"></div><div id="profile" role="tabpanel"></div></div>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
-    $(tabsHTML).find('a:last-child').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(tabsHTML).find('button:last-child').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'profile')
 
-    $(tabsHTML).find('a:first-child').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(tabsHTML).find('button:first-child').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'home')
   })
 
   QUnit.test('should activate element by tab id in list group', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(2)
-    var tabsHTML = '<div class="list-group">' +
-                      '<a href="#home">Home</a>' +
-                      '<a href="#profile">Profile</a>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<div class="list-group" role="tablist">' +
+                      '<button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button>' +
+                      '<button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button>' +
                     '</div>'
 
-    $('<nav><div id="home"></div><div id="profile"></div></nav>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
+    $('<div><div id="home" role="tabpanel"></div><div id="profile" role="tabpanel"></div></div>').appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
-    $(tabsHTML).find('a:last-child').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(tabsHTML).find('button:last-child').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'profile')
 
-    $(tabsHTML).find('a:first-child').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $(tabsHTML).find('button:first-child').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($('#qunit-fixture').find('.active').attr('id'), 'home')
   })
 
@@ -143,8 +159,8 @@ $(function () {
   QUnit.test('should not fire shown when tab is already active', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(0)
     var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
-      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a href="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab">Home</a></li>' +
-      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a href="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-target="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
       '</ul>' +
       '<div class="tab-content">' +
       '<div class="tab-pane active" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>' +
@@ -152,7 +168,7 @@ $(function () {
       '</div>'
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('a.active')
+      .find('button.active')
       .on('shown.bs.tab', function () {
         assert.ok(true, 'shown event fired')
       })
@@ -162,8 +178,8 @@ $(function () {
   QUnit.test('should not fire shown when tab is disabled', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(0)
     var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
-      '<li class="nav-item"><a href="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab">Home</a></li>' +
-      '<li class="nav-item"><a href="#profile" class="nav-link disabled" role="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item"><button type="button" data-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab"  aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item"><button type="button" data-target="#profile" class="nav-link disabled" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
       '</ul>' +
       '<div class="tab-content">' +
       '<div class="tab-pane active" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>' +
@@ -171,7 +187,7 @@ $(function () {
       '</div>'
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('a.disabled')
+      .find('button.disabled')
       .on('shown.bs.tab', function () {
         assert.ok(true, 'shown event fired')
       })
@@ -182,26 +198,26 @@ $(function () {
     assert.expect(2)
     var done = assert.async()
 
-    var dropHTML =
-        '<ul class="drop nav">' +
-        '  <li class="dropdown"><a data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">1</a>' +
-        '    <ul class="dropdown-menu nav">' +
-        '      <li><a href="#a1-1" data-toggle="tab">1-1</a></li>' +
-        '      <li><a href="#a1-2" data-toggle="tab">1-2</a></li>' +
-        '    </ul>' +
-        '  </li>' +
-        '</ul>'
+    var tabsHTML =
+        '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>' +
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-target="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
+        '</ul>' +
+        '<div class="tab-content">' +
+        '  <div class="tab-pane active" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>' +
+        '  <div class="tab-pane" id="profile" role="tabpanel"></div>' +
+        '</div>'
 
-    $(dropHTML)
-      .find('ul > li:first-child a')
+    $(tabsHTML)
+      .find('ul > li:first-child button')
       .bootstrapTab('show')
       .end()
-      .find('ul > li:last-child a')
+      .find('ul > li:last-child button')
       .on('show.bs.tab', function (e) {
-        assert.strictEqual(e.relatedTarget.hash, '#a1-1', 'references correct element as relatedTarget')
+        assert.strictEqual(e.relatedTarget.hash, '#home', 'references correct element as relatedTarget')
       })
       .on('shown.bs.tab', function (e) {
-        assert.strictEqual(e.relatedTarget.hash, '#a1-1', 'references correct element as relatedTarget')
+        assert.strictEqual(e.relatedTarget.hash, '#home', 'references correct element as relatedTarget')
         done()
       })
       .bootstrapTab('show')
@@ -211,30 +227,30 @@ $(function () {
     assert.expect(2)
     var done = assert.async()
 
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav">' +
-        '<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#profile">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('li:first-child a')
+      .find('li:first-child button')
       .on('hide.bs.tab', function () {
         assert.ok(true, 'hide event fired')
       })
       .bootstrapTab('show')
       .end()
-      .find('li:last-child a')
+      .find('li:last-child button')
       .bootstrapTab('show')
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('li:first-child a')
+      .find('li:first-child button')
       .on('hidden.bs.tab', function () {
         assert.ok(true, 'hidden event fired')
         done()
       })
       .bootstrapTab('show')
       .end()
-      .find('li:last-child a')
+      .find('li:last-child button')
       .bootstrapTab('show')
   })
 
@@ -242,13 +258,13 @@ $(function () {
     assert.expect(1)
     var done = assert.async()
 
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav">' +
-        '<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('li:first-child a')
+      .find('li:first-child button')
       .on('hide.bs.tab', function (e) {
         e.preventDefault()
         assert.ok(true, 'hide event fired')
@@ -259,7 +275,7 @@ $(function () {
       })
       .bootstrapTab('show')
       .end()
-      .find('li:last-child a')
+      .find('li:last-child button')
       .bootstrapTab('show')
   })
 
@@ -267,13 +283,13 @@ $(function () {
     assert.expect(2)
     var done = assert.async()
 
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav">' +
-        '<li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
 
     $(tabsHTML)
-      .find('li:first-child a')
+      .find('li:first-child button')
       .on('hide.bs.tab', function (e) {
         assert.strictEqual(e.relatedTarget.hash, '#profile', 'references correct element as relatedTarget')
       })
@@ -283,66 +299,46 @@ $(function () {
       })
       .bootstrapTab('show')
       .end()
-      .find('li:last-child a')
+      .find('li:last-child button')
       .bootstrapTab('show')
   })
 
   QUnit.test('selected tab should have aria-selected', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(8)
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs">' +
-        '<li><a class="nav-item active" href="#home" toggle="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li><a class="nav-item" href="#profile" toggle="tab" aria-selected="false">Profile</a></li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li><button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
     var $tabs = $(tabsHTML).appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
-    $tabs.find('li:first-child a').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $tabs.find('li:first-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('.active').attr('aria-selected'), 'true', 'shown tab has aria-selected = true')
-    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('a:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
+    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('button:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
 
-    $tabs.find('li:last-child a').trigger('click')
+    $tabs.find('li:last-child button').trigger('click')
     assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('.active').attr('aria-selected'), 'true', 'after click, shown tab has aria-selected = true')
-    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('a:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'after click, hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
+    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('button:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'after click, hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
 
-    $tabs.find('li:first-child a').bootstrapTab('show')
+    $tabs.find('li:first-child button').bootstrapTab('show')
     assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('.active').attr('aria-selected'), 'true', 'shown tab has aria-selected = true')
-    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('a:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
+    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('button:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
 
-    $tabs.find('li:first-child a').trigger('click')
+    $tabs.find('li:first-child button').trigger('click')
     assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('.active').attr('aria-selected'), 'true', 'after second show event, shown tab still has aria-selected = true')
-    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('a:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'after second show event, hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
+    assert.strictEqual($tabs.find('button:not(.active)').attr('aria-selected'), 'false', 'after second show event, hidden tab has aria-selected = false')
   })
 
   QUnit.test('selected tab should deactivate previous selected tab', function (assert) {
     assert.expect(2)
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs">' +
-        '<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link active" href="#home" data-toggle="tab">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link" href="#profile" data-toggle="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
-        '</ul>'
-    var $tabs = $(tabsHTML).appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
-
-    $tabs.find('li:last-child a').trigger('click')
-    assert.notOk($tabs.find('li:first-child a').hasClass('active'))
-    assert.ok($tabs.find('li:last-child a').hasClass('active'))
-  })
-
-  QUnit.test('selected tab should deactivate previous selected link in dropdown', function (assert) {
-    assert.expect(3)
-    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs">' +
-        '<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link" href="#home" data-toggle="tab">Home</a></li>' +
-        '<li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link" href="#profile" data-toggle="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
-        '<li class="nav-item dropdown"><a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle active" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">Dropdown</a>' +
-        '<div class="dropdown-menu">' +
-        '<a class="dropdown-item active" href="#dropdown1" id="dropdown1-tab" data-toggle="tab">@fat</a>' +
-        '<a class="dropdown-item" href="#dropdown2" id="dropdown2-tab" data-toggle="tab">@mdo</a>' +
-        '</div>' +
-        '</li>' +
+    var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
+        '<li class="nav-item"><button type="button" data-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+        '<li class="nav-item"><button type="button" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
         '</ul>'
     var $tabs = $(tabsHTML).appendTo('#qunit-fixture')
 
-    $tabs.find('li:first-child a').trigger('click')
-    assert.ok($tabs.find('li:first-child a').hasClass('active'))
-    assert.notOk($tabs.find('li:last-child a').hasClass('active'))
-    assert.notOk($tabs.find('li:last-child .dropdown-menu a:first-child').hasClass('active'))
+    $tabs.find('li:last-child button').trigger('click')
+    assert.notOk($tabs.find('li:first-child button').hasClass('active'))
+    assert.ok($tabs.find('li:last-child button').hasClass('active'))
   })
 
   QUnit.test('Nested tabs', function (assert) {
@@ -350,9 +346,9 @@ $(function () {
     var done = assert.async()
     var tabsHTML =
         '<nav class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
-        '  <a id="tab1" href="#x-tab1" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1">Tab 1</a>' +
-        '  <a href="#x-tab2" class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab2" aria-selected="true">Tab 2</a>' +
-        '  <a href="#x-tab3" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab3">Tab 3</a>' +
+        '  <button type="button" id="tab1" data-target="#x-tab1" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1">Tab 1</button>' +
+        '  <button type="button" data-target="#x-tab2" class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab2" aria-selected="true">Tab 2</button>' +
+        '  <button type="button" data-target="#x-tab3" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab3">Tab 3</button>' +
         '</nav>' +
         '<div class="tab-content">' +
         '  <div class="tab-pane" id="x-tab1" role="tabpanel">' +
@@ -387,8 +383,8 @@ $(function () {
     assert.expect(6)
     var done = assert.async()
     var tabsHTML = '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">' +
-      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a id="tab-home" href="#home" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab">Home</a></li>' +
-      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a id="tab-profile" href="#profile" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab">Profile</a></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="tab-home" data-target="#home" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab">Home</button></li>' +
+      '<li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="tab-profile" data-target="#profile" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" role="tab">Profile</button></li>' +
       '</ul>' +
       '<div class="tab-content">' +
       '<div class="tab-pane fade" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>' +
@@ -467,10 +463,10 @@ $(function () {
     var html = [
       '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
       '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-      '    <a class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#home" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Home</a>',
+      '    <button type="button" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-target="#home" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Home</button>',
       '  </li>',
       '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-      '    <a id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#profile" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Profile</a>',
+      '    <button type="button" id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-target="#profile" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Profile</button>',
       '  </li>',
       '</ul>',
       '<div class="tab-content" role="presentation">',
@@ -495,10 +491,10 @@ $(function () {
     var html = [
       '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
       '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-      '    <a class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#home" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Home</a>',
+      '     <button type="button" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-target="#home" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Home</button>',
       '  </li>',
       '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-      '    <a id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#profile" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Profile</a>',
+      '    <button type="button" id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-target="#profile" role="tab" data-toggle="tab">Profile</button>',
       '  </li>',
       '</ul>',
       '<div class="tab-content">',
diff --git a/js/tests/visual/tab.html b/js/tests/visual/tab.html
index 1ffedec95258..882ea641a88d 100644
--- a/js/tests/visual/tab.html
+++ b/js/tests/visual/tab.html
@@ -19,16 +19,16 @@ <h4>Tabs without fade</h4>
 
       <ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#fat" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#fat" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#mdo" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#mdo" role="tab">@mdo</button>
         </li>
       </ul>
 
@@ -55,16 +55,16 @@ <h4>Tabs with fade</h4>
 
       <ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" href="#home2" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link active" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home2" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile2" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile2" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#fat2" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#fat2" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#mdo2" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#mdo2" role="tab">@mdo</button>
         </li>
       </ul>
 
@@ -91,16 +91,16 @@ <h4>Tabs without fade (no initially active pane)</h4>
 
       <ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#home3" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home3" role="tab">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile3" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile3" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#fat3" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#fat3" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" href="#mdo3" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#mdo3" role="tab">@mdo</button>
         </li>
       </ul>
 
@@ -159,26 +159,23 @@ <h4>Tabs with fade (no initially active pane)</h4>
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <h4>Tabs with nav (with fade)</h4>
-      <nav class="nav nav-pills">
-        <a class="nav-link nav-item active" data-toggle="tab" href="#home5">Home</a>
-        <a class="nav-link nav-item" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile5">Profile</a>
-        <div class="nav-item dropdown">
-          <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="dropdown5" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">Dropdown</a>
-          <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdown5">
-            <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" href="#fat5">@fat</a>
-            <a class="dropdown-item" data-toggle="tab" href="#mdo5">@mdo</a>
-          </div>
+      <h4>Tabs with nav and using links (with fade)</h4>
+      <nav>
+        <div class="nav nav-pills" id="nav-tab" role="tablist">
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item active" role="tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#home5">Home</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile5">Profile</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#fat5">@fat</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#mdo5">@mdo</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item disabled" role="tab" href="#">Disabled</a>
         </div>
-        <a class="nav-link nav-item disabled" href="#">Disabled</a>
       </nav>
 
-      <div class="tab-content" role="tabpanel">
-        <div role="tabpanel" class="tab-pane fade show active" id="home5">
+      <div class="tab-content">
+        <div class="tab-pane fade show active" id="home5" role="tabpanel">
           <p>Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu banh mi, qui irure terry richardson ex squid. Aliquip placeat salvia cillum iphone. Seitan aliquip quis cardigan american apparel, butcher voluptate nisi qui.</p>
           <p>Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu banh mi, qui irure terry richardson ex squid. Aliquip placeat salvia cillum iphone. Seitan aliquip quis cardigan american apparel, butcher voluptate nisi qui.</p>
         </div>
-        <div role="tabpanel" class="tab-pane fade" id="profile5">
+        <div class="tab-pane fade" id="profile5" role="tabpanel">
           <p>Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu banh mi, qui irure terry richardson ex squid. Aliquip placeat salvia cillum iphone. Seitan aliquip quis cardigan american apparel, butcher voluptate nisi qui.</p>
           <p>Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu banh mi, qui irure terry richardson ex squid. Aliquip placeat salvia cillum iphone. Seitan aliquip quis cardigan american apparel, butcher voluptate nisi qui.</p>
         </div>
@@ -196,10 +193,10 @@ <h4>Tabs with list-group (with fade)</h4>
       <div class="row">
         <div class="col-4">
           <div class="list-group" id="list-tab" role="tablist">
-            <a class="list-group-item list-group-item-action active" id="list-home-list" data-toggle="tab" href="#list-home" role="tab" aria-controls="list-home">Home</a>
-            <a class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-profile-list" data-toggle="tab" href="#list-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="list-profile">Profile</a>
-            <a class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-messages-list" data-toggle="tab" href="#list-messages" role="tab" aria-controls="list-messages">Messages</a>
-            <a class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-settings-list" data-toggle="tab" href="#list-settings" role="tab" aria-controls="list-settings">Settings</a>
+            <button type="button" class="list-group-item list-group-item-action active" id="list-home-list" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#list-home" role="tab" aria-controls="list-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
+            <button type="button"  class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-profile-list" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#list-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="list-profile">Profile</button>
+            <button type="button"  class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-messages-list" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#list-messages" role="tab" aria-controls="list-messages">Messages</button>
+            <button type="button"  class="list-group-item list-group-item-action" id="list-settings-list" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#list-settings" role="tab" aria-controls="list-settings">Settings</button>
           </div>
         </div>
         <div class="col-8">
diff --git a/scss/_nav.scss b/scss/_nav.scss
index fad684e57b4b..a58814f6d322 100644
--- a/scss/_nav.scss
+++ b/scss/_nav.scss
@@ -37,11 +37,14 @@
 
   .nav-link {
     margin-bottom: -$nav-tabs-border-width;
+    background: none;
     border: $nav-tabs-border-width solid transparent;
     @include border-top-radius($nav-tabs-border-radius);
 
     @include hover-focus() {
       border-color: $nav-tabs-link-hover-border-color;
+      // Prevents active .nav-link tab overlapping focus outline of previous/next .nav-link
+      isolation: isolate;
     }
 
     &.disabled {
@@ -73,6 +76,8 @@
 
 .nav-pills {
   .nav-link {
+    background: none;
+    border: 0;
     @include border-radius($nav-pills-border-radius);
   }
 
diff --git a/site/content/docs/4.6/components/navs.md b/site/content/docs/4.6/components/navs.md
index 5a1cdcc812b2..6fc733161bce 100644
--- a/site/content/docs/4.6/components/navs.md
+++ b/site/content/docs/4.6/components/navs.md
@@ -307,20 +307,20 @@ Use the tab JavaScript plugin—include it individually or through the compiled
 
 If you're building our JavaScript from source, it [requires `util.js`]({{< docsref "/getting-started/javascript#util" >}}).
 
-Dynamic tabbed interfaces, as described in the [<abbr title="Web Accessibility Initiative">WAI</abbr> <abbr title="Accessible Rich Internet Applications">ARIA</abbr> Authoring Practices](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-practices/#tabpanel), require `role="tablist"`, `role="tab"`, `role="tabpanel"`, and additional `aria-` attributes in order to convey their structure, functionality and current state to users of assistive technologies (such as screen readers).
+Dynamic tabbed interfaces, as described in the [<abbr title="Web Accessibility Initiative">WAI</abbr> <abbr title="Accessible Rich Internet Applications">ARIA</abbr> Authoring Practices](https://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-practices/#tabpanel), require `role="tablist"`, `role="tab"`, `role="tabpanel"`, and additional `aria-` attributes in order to convey their structure, functionality and current state to users of assistive technologies (such as screen readers). As a best practice, we recommend using `<button>` elements for the tabs, as these are controls that trigger a dynamic change, rather than links that navigate to a new page or location.
 
 Note that dynamic tabbed interfaces should <em>not</em> contain dropdown menus, as this causes both usability and accessibility issues. From a usability perspective, the fact that the currently displayed tab's trigger element is not immediately visible (as it's inside the closed dropdown menu) can cause confusion. From an accessibility point of view, there is currently no sensible way to map this sort of construct to a standard WAI ARIA pattern, meaning that it cannot be easily made understandable to users of assistive technologies.
 
 <div class="bd-example bd-example-tabs">
   <ul class="nav nav-tabs" id="myTab" role="tablist">
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+      <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
     </li>
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
     </li>
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#contact" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
     </li>
   </ul>
   <div class="tab-content" id="myTabContent">
@@ -339,13 +339,13 @@ Note that dynamic tabbed interfaces should <em>not</em> contain dropdown menus,
 ```html
 <ul class="nav nav-tabs" id="myTab" role="tablist">
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#contact" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 <div class="tab-content" id="myTabContent">
@@ -360,9 +360,9 @@ To help fit your needs, this works with `<ul>`-based markup, as shown above, or
 <div class="bd-example bd-example-tabs">
   <nav>
     <div class="nav nav-tabs" id="nav-tab" role="tablist">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="nav-home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-home" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
-      <a class="nav-link" id="nav-profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
-      <a class="nav-link" id="nav-contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-contact" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+      <button class="nav-link active" id="nav-home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="nav-profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="nav-contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
     </div>
   </nav>
   <div class="tab-content" id="nav-tabContent">
@@ -381,9 +381,9 @@ To help fit your needs, this works with `<ul>`-based markup, as shown above, or
 ```html
 <nav>
   <div class="nav nav-tabs" id="nav-tab" role="tablist">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="nav-home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-home" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
-    <a class="nav-link" id="nav-profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
-    <a class="nav-link" id="nav-contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#nav-contact" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="nav-home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="nav-profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="nav-contact-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#nav-contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="nav-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
   </div>
 </nav>
 <div class="tab-content" id="nav-tabContent">
@@ -398,13 +398,13 @@ The tabs plugin also works with pills.
 <div class="bd-example bd-example-tabs">
   <ul class="nav nav-pills mb-3" id="pills-tab" role="tablist">
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-home" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+      <button class="nav-link active" id="pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
     </li>
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link" id="pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
     </li>
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link" id="pills-contact-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-contact" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="pills-contact-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
     </li>
   </ul>
   <div class="tab-content" id="pills-tabContent">
@@ -423,13 +423,13 @@ The tabs plugin also works with pills.
 ```html
 <ul class="nav nav-pills mb-3" id="pills-tab" role="tablist">
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-home" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="pills-contact-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#pills-contact" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="pills-contact-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#pills-contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="pills-contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 <div class="tab-content" id="pills-tabContent">
@@ -445,10 +445,10 @@ And with vertical pills.
   <div class="row">
     <div class="col-3">
       <div class="nav flex-column nav-pills" id="v-pills-tab" role="tablist" aria-orientation="vertical">
-        <a class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-home" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
-        <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
-        <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-messages-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-messages" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
-        <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-settings-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-settings" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+        <button class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
+        <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
+        <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-messages-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-messages" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</button>
+        <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-settings-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
       </div>
     </div>
     <div class="col-9">
@@ -474,10 +474,10 @@ And with vertical pills.
 <div class="row">
   <div class="col-3">
     <div class="nav flex-column nav-pills" id="v-pills-tab" role="tablist" aria-orientation="vertical">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-home" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
-      <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-profile" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
-      <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-messages-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-messages" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
-      <a class="nav-link" id="v-pills-settings-tab" data-toggle="pill" href="#v-pills-settings" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+      <button class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-profile-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</buttona>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-messages-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-messages" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</button>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="v-pills-settings-tab" data-toggle="pill" data-target="#v-pills-settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
     </div>
   </div>
   <div class="col-9">
@@ -499,16 +499,16 @@ You can activate a tab or pill navigation without writing any JavaScript by simp
 <!-- Nav tabs -->
 <ul class="nav nav-tabs" id="myTab" role="tablist">
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#messages" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#messages" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#settings" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ You can activate a tab or pill navigation without writing any JavaScript by simp
 Enable tabbable tabs via JavaScript (each tab needs to be activated individually):
 
 ```js
-$('#myTab a').on('click', function (event) {
+$('#myTab button').on('click', function (event) {
   event.preventDefault()
   $(this).tab('show')
 })
@@ -535,10 +535,10 @@ $('#myTab a').on('click', function (event) {
 You can activate individual tabs in several ways:
 
 ```js
-$('#myTab a[href="#profile"]').tab('show') // Select tab by name
-$('#myTab li:first-child a').tab('show') // Select first tab
-$('#myTab li:last-child a').tab('show') // Select last tab
-$('#myTab li:nth-child(3) a').tab('show') // Select third tab
+$('#myTab button[data-target="#profile"]').tab('show') // Select tab by name
+$('#myTab li:first-child button').tab('show') // Select first tab
+$('#myTab li:last-child button').tab('show') // Select last tab
+$('#myTab li:nth-child(3) button').tab('show') // Select third tab
 ```
 
 ### Fade effect
@@ -562,21 +562,21 @@ To make tabs fade in, add `.fade` to each `.tab-pane`. The first tab pane must a
 
 #### $().tab
 
-Activates a tab element and content container. Tab should have either a `data-target` or an `href` targeting a container node in the DOM.
+Activates a tab element and content container. Tab should have either a `data-target` or, if using a link, an `href` attribute targeting a container node in the DOM.
 
 ```html
 <ul class="nav nav-tabs" id="myTab" role="tablist">
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#home" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#profile" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#messages" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#messages" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</button>
   </li>
   <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-    <a class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-toggle="tab" href="#settings" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-toggle="tab" data-target="#settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ Activates a tab element and content container. Tab should have either a `data-ta
 
 <script>
   $(function () {
-    $('#myTab li:last-child a').tab('show')
+    $('#myTab li:last-child button').tab('show')
   })
 </script>
 ```
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ If no tab was already active, then the `hide.bs.tab` and `hidden.bs.tab` events
 </table>
 
 ```js
-$('a[data-toggle="tab"]').on('shown.bs.tab', function (event) {
+$('button[data-toggle="tab"]').on('shown.bs.tab', function (event) {
   event.target // newly activated tab
   event.relatedTarget // previous active tab
 })