diff --git a/js/tests/unit/tab.spec.js b/js/tests/unit/tab.spec.js
index d098ab027327..463fb79afd40 100644
--- a/js/tests/unit/tab.spec.js
+++ b/js/tests/unit/tab.spec.js
@@ -21,15 +21,39 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
   })
 
   describe('show', () => {
-    it('should activate element by tab id', done => {
+    it('should activate element by tab id (using buttons, the preferred semantic way)', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
-        '<ul class="nav">',
+        '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li><button type="button" id="triggerProfile" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>',
+        '</ul>',
+        '<ul>',
+        '  <li id="home" role="tabpanel"></li>',
+        '  <li id="profile" role="tabpanel"></li>',
+        '</ul>'
+      ].join('')
+
+      const profileTriggerEl = fixtureEl.querySelector('#triggerProfile')
+      const tab = new Tab(profileTriggerEl)
+
+      profileTriggerEl.addEventListener('shown.bs.tab', () => {
+        expect(fixtureEl.querySelector('#profile').classList.contains('active')).toEqual(true)
+        expect(profileTriggerEl.getAttribute('aria-selected')).toEqual('true')
+        done()
+      })
+
+      tab.show()
+    })
+
+    it('should activate element by tab id (using links for tabs - not ideal, but still supported)', done => {
+      fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
+        '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">',
         '  <li><a href="#home" role="tab">Home</a></li>',
-        '  <li><a id="triggerProfile" role="tab" href="#profile">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li><a id="triggerProfile" href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a></li>',
         '</ul>',
         '<ul>',
-        '  <li id="home"></li>',
-        '  <li id="profile"></li>',
+        '  <li id="home" role="tabpanel"></li>',
+        '  <li id="profile" role="tabpanel"></li>',
         '</ul>'
       ].join('')
 
@@ -48,12 +72,12 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should activate element by tab id in ordered list', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<ol class="nav nav-pills">',
-        '  <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>',
-        '  <li><a id="triggerProfile" href="#profile">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li><button type="button" id="triggerProfile" href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>',
         '</ol>',
         '<ol>',
-        '  <li id="home"></li>',
-        '  <li id="profile"></li>',
+        '  <li id="home" role="tabpanel"></li>',
+        '  <li id="profile" role="tabpanel"></li>',
         '</ol>'
       ].join('')
 
@@ -71,10 +95,10 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should activate element by tab id in nav list', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<nav class="nav">',
-        '  <a href="#home">Home</a>',
-        '  <a id="triggerProfile" href="#profile">Profile</a>',
+        '  <button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button>',
+        '  <button type="button" id="triggerProfile" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a>',
         '</nav>',
-        '<nav><div id="home"></div><div id="profile"></div></nav>'
+        '<div><div id="home" role="tabpanel"></div><div id="profile" role="tabpanel"></div></div>'
       ].join('')
 
       const profileTriggerEl = fixtureEl.querySelector('#triggerProfile')
@@ -90,11 +114,11 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
 
     it('should activate element by tab id in list group', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
-        '<div class="list-group">',
-        '  <a href="#home">Home</a>',
-        '  <a id="triggerProfile" href="#profile">Profile</a>',
+        '<div class="list-group" role="tablist">',
+        '  <button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button>',
+        '  <button type="button" id="triggerProfile" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button>',
         '</div>',
-        '<nav><div id="home"></div><div id="profile"></div></nav>'
+        '<div><div id="home" role="tabpanel"></div><div id="profile" role="tabpanel"></div></div>'
       ].join('')
 
       const profileTriggerEl = fixtureEl.querySelector('#triggerProfile')
@@ -135,8 +159,8 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should not fire shown when tab is already active', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<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-bs-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" href="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</button></li>',
         '</ul>',
         '<div class="tab-content">',
         '  <div class="tab-pane active" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>',
@@ -144,7 +168,7 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
         '</div>'
       ].join('')
 
-      const triggerActive = fixtureEl.querySelector('a.active')
+      const triggerActive = fixtureEl.querySelector('button.active')
       const tab = new Tab(triggerActive)
 
       triggerActive.addEventListener('shown.bs.tab', () => {
@@ -161,8 +185,8 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should not fire shown when tab is disabled', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<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 disabled" role="tab">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab"  aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-bs-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>',
@@ -170,7 +194,7 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
         '</div>'
       ].join('')
 
-      const triggerDisabled = fixtureEl.querySelector('a.disabled')
+      const triggerDisabled = fixtureEl.querySelector('button.disabled')
       const tab = new Tab(triggerDisabled)
 
       triggerDisabled.addEventListener('shown.bs.tab', () => {
@@ -187,8 +211,8 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('show and shown events should reference correct relatedTarget', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<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 id="triggerProfile" href="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="triggerProfile" data-bs-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>',
@@ -200,13 +224,13 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
       const secondTab = new Tab(secondTabTrigger)
 
       secondTabTrigger.addEventListener('show.bs.tab', ev => {
-        expect(ev.relatedTarget.hash).toEqual('#home')
+        expect(ev.relatedTarget.getAttribute('data-bs-target')).toEqual('#home')
       })
 
       secondTabTrigger.addEventListener('shown.bs.tab', ev => {
-        expect(ev.relatedTarget.hash).toEqual('#home')
+        expect(ev.relatedTarget.getAttribute('data-bs-target')).toEqual('#home')
         expect(secondTabTrigger.getAttribute('aria-selected')).toEqual('true')
-        expect(fixtureEl.querySelector('a:not(.active)').getAttribute('aria-selected')).toEqual('false')
+        expect(fixtureEl.querySelector('button:not(.active)').getAttribute('aria-selected')).toEqual('false')
         done()
       })
 
@@ -215,13 +239,13 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
 
     it('should fire hide and hidden events', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
-        '<ul class="nav">',
-        '  <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>',
-        '  <li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>',
+        '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#profile">Profile</button></li>',
         '</ul>'
       ].join('')
 
-      const triggerList = fixtureEl.querySelectorAll('a')
+      const triggerList = fixtureEl.querySelectorAll('button')
       const firstTab = new Tab(triggerList[0])
       const secondTab = new Tab(triggerList[1])
 
@@ -232,12 +256,12 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
 
       triggerList[0].addEventListener('hide.bs.tab', ev => {
         hideCalled = true
-        expect(ev.relatedTarget.hash).toEqual('#profile')
+        expect(ev.relatedTarget.getAttribute('data-bs-target')).toEqual('#profile')
       })
 
       triggerList[0].addEventListener('hidden.bs.tab', ev => {
         expect(hideCalled).toEqual(true)
-        expect(ev.relatedTarget.hash).toEqual('#profile')
+        expect(ev.relatedTarget.getAttribute('data-bs-target')).toEqual('#profile')
         done()
       })
 
@@ -246,13 +270,13 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
 
     it('should not fire hidden when hide is prevented', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
-        '<ul class="nav">',
-        '  <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>',
-        '  <li><a href="#profile">Profile</a></li>',
+        '<ul class="nav" role="tablist">',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li><button type="button" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button></li>',
         '</ul>'
       ].join('')
 
-      const triggerList = fixtureEl.querySelectorAll('a')
+      const triggerList = fixtureEl.querySelectorAll('button')
       const firstTab = new Tab(triggerList[0])
       const secondTab = new Tab(triggerList[1])
       const expectDone = () => {
@@ -423,8 +447,8 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should create dynamically a tab', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<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 id="triggerProfile" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" class="nav-link" role="tab">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" data-bs-target="#home" class="nav-link active" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="triggerProfile" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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>',
@@ -469,15 +493,15 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should handle nested tabs', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<nav class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
-        '  <a id="tab1" href="#x-tab1" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1">Tab 1</a>',
-        '  <a href="#x-tab2" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab2" aria-selected="true">Tab 2</a>',
-        '  <a href="#x-tab3" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab3">Tab 3</a>',
+        '  <button type="button" id="tab1" data-bs-target="#x-tab1" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1">Tab 1</button>',
+        '  <button type="button" data-bs-target="#x-tab2" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab2" aria-selected="true">Tab 2</button>',
+        '  <button type="button" data-bs-target="#x-tab3" class="nav-link" data-bs-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">',
         '    <nav class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
-        '      <a href="#nested-tab1" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1" aria-selected="true">Nested Tab 1</a>',
-        '      <a id="tabNested2" href="#nested-tab2" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-profile">Nested Tab2</a>',
+        '      <button type="button" data-bs-target="#nested-tab1" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-tab1" aria-selected="true">Nested Tab 1</button>',
+        '      <button type="button" id="tabNested2" data-bs-target="#nested-tab2" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab" aria-controls="x-profile">Nested Tab2</button>',
         '    </nav>',
         '    <div class="tab-content">',
         '      <div class="tab-pane active" id="nested-tab1" role="tabpanel">Nested Tab1 Content</div>',
@@ -509,8 +533,8 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
     it('should not remove fade class if no active pane is present', done => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
-        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a id="tab-home" href="#home" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab">Home</a></li>',
-        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><a id="tab-profile" href="#profile" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab">Profile</a></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="tab-home" data-bs-target="#home" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab">Home</button></li>',
+        '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation"><button type="button" id="tab-profile" data-bs-target="#profile" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" role="tab">Profile</button></li>',
         '</ul>',
         '<div class="tab-content">',
         '  <div class="tab-pane fade" id="home" role="tabpanel"></div>',
@@ -547,10 +571,10 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
         '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-        '    <a class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#home" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Home</a>',
+        '    <button type="button" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Home</button>',
         '  </li>',
         '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-        '    <a id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#profile" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Profile</a>',
+        '    <button type="button" id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Profile</button>',
         '  </li>',
         '</ul>',
         '<div class="tab-content">',
@@ -573,10 +597,10 @@ describe('Tab', () => {
       fixtureEl.innerHTML = [
         '<ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">',
         '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-        '    <a class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#home" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Home</a>',
+        '    <button type="button" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Home</button>',
         '  </li>',
         '  <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">',
-        '    <a id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" href="#profile" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab">Profile</a>',
+        '    <button type="button" id="secondNav" class="nav-link nav-tab" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab" data-bs-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 0f7b734e7699..eeace6bbbdb5 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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#home" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#profile" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#fat" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home2" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link active" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#home2" role="tab" aria-selected="true">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile2" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#profile2" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat2" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#fat2" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo2" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home3" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#home3" role="tab">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile3" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#profile3" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat3" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#fat3" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo3" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#mdo3" role="tab">@mdo</button>
         </li>
       </ul>
 
@@ -127,16 +127,16 @@ <h4>Tabs with fade (no initially active pane)</h4>
 
       <ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist">
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home4" role="tab">Home</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#home4" role="tab">Home</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile4" role="tab">Profile</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#profile4" role="tab">Profile</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat4" role="tab">@fat</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#fat4" role="tab">@fat</button>
         </li>
         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-          <a class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo4" role="tab">@mdo</a>
+          <button type="button" class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#mdo4" 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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home5">Home</a>
-        <a class="nav-link nav-item" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile5">Profile</a>
-        <div class="nav-item dropdown">
-          <a class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" id="dropdown5" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false">Dropdown</a>
-          <ul class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdown5">
-            <li><a class="dropdown-item" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat5">@fat</a></li>
-            <li><a class="dropdown-item" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo5">@mdo</a></li>
-          </ul>
-        </div>
-        <a class="nav-link nav-item disabled" href="#">Disabled</a>
+      <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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home5">Home</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile5">Profile</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#fat5">@fat</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item" role="tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#mdo5">@mdo</a>
+          <a class="nav-link nav-item disabled" role="tab" href="#">Disabled</a>
+        </div>
       </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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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 30c2c819bd5e..2534f7f77ba1 100644
--- a/scss/_nav.scss
+++ b/scss/_nav.scss
@@ -43,12 +43,15 @@
 
   .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);
 
     &: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 {
@@ -80,6 +83,8 @@
 
 .nav-pills {
   .nav-link {
+    background: none;
+    border: 0;
     @include border-radius($nav-pills-border-radius);
   }
 
diff --git a/site/content/docs/5.0/components/navs-tabs.md b/site/content/docs/5.0/components/navs-tabs.md
index 72746d5d7f2f..822aec14c484 100644
--- a/site/content/docs/5.0/components/navs-tabs.md
+++ b/site/content/docs/5.0/components/navs-tabs.md
@@ -308,20 +308,20 @@ Add dropdown menus with a little extra HTML and the [dropdowns JavaScript plugin
 
 Use the tab JavaScript plugin—include it individually or through the compiled `bootstrap.js` file—to extend our navigational tabs and pills to create tabbable panes of local content.
 
-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">
   <ul class="nav nav-tabs mb-3" id="myTab" role="tablist">
     <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+      <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#contact" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+      <button class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
     </li>
   </ul>
   <div class="tab-content" id="myTabContent">
@@ -340,13 +340,13 @@ 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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#contact" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="contact-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#contact" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="contact" aria-selected="false">Contact</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 <div class="tab-content" id="myTabContent">
@@ -361,9 +361,9 @@ To help fit your needs, this works with `<ul>`-based markup, as shown above, or
 <div class="bd-example">
   <nav>
     <div class="nav nav-tabs mb-3" id="nav-tab" role="tablist">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="nav-home-tab" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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">
@@ -382,9 +382,9 @@ 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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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">
@@ -399,13 +399,13 @@ The tabs plugin also works with pills.
 <div class="bd-example">
   <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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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">
@@ -424,13 +424,13 @@ 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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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="bd-example">
   <div class="d-flex align-items-start">
     <div class="nav flex-column nav-pills me-3" id="v-pills-tab" role="tablist" aria-orientation="vertical">
-      <a class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-target="#v-pills-settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
     </div>
     <div class="tab-content" id="v-pills-tabContent">
       <div class="tab-pane fade show active" id="v-pills-home" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="v-pills-home-tab">
@@ -470,10 +470,10 @@ And with vertical pills.
 ```html
 <div class="d-flex align-items-start">
   <div class="nav flex-column nav-pills me-3" id="v-pills-tab" role="tablist" aria-orientation="vertical">
-    <a class="nav-link active" id="v-pills-home-tab" data-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="pill" data-bs-target="#v-pills-settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="v-pills-settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
   </div>
   <div class="tab-content" id="v-pills-tabContent">
     <div class="tab-pane fade show active" id="v-pills-home" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="v-pills-home-tab">...</div>
@@ -492,16 +492,16 @@ 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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#messages" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#settings" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" hdata-bs-targetref="#settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 
@@ -561,21 +561,21 @@ To make tabs fade in, add `.fade` to each `.tab-pane`. The first tab pane must a
 
 #### constructor
 
-Activates a tab element and content container. Tab should have either a `data-bs-target` or an `href` targeting a container node in the DOM.
+Activates a tab element and content container. Tab should have either a `data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#home" role="tab" aria-controls="home" aria-selected="true">Home</a>
+    <button class="nav-link active" id="home-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#profile" role="tab" aria-controls="profile" aria-selected="false">Profile</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="profile-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#messages" role="tab" aria-controls="messages" aria-selected="false">Messages</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="messages-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-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-bs-toggle="tab" href="#settings" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</a>
+    <button class="nav-link" id="settings-tab" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#settings" type="button" role="tab" aria-controls="settings" aria-selected="false">Settings</button>
   </li>
 </ul>
 
@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ If no tab was already active, then the `hide.bs.tab` and `hidden.bs.tab` events
 </table>
 
 ```js
-var tabEl = document.querySelector('a[data-bs-toggle="tab"]')
+var tabEl = document.querySelector('button[data-bs-toggle="tab"]')
 tabEl.addEventListener('shown.bs.tab', function (event) {
   event.target // newly activated tab
   event.relatedTarget // previous active tab