URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, the web address that tells a browser where to find a resource on the internet. It identifies both the location of the resource and the protocol used to retrieve it, which is how a click or a typed address leads to the right page.
What a URL is
A Uniform Resource Locator is a string of characters that points to a specific resource online, such as a web page, an image, a video, or a downloadable file. When you type a URL into the address bar or click a link, your browser reads the URL to work out where to send its request and how to format it.
The parts of a URL
A typical URL is made of several pieces. Consider an address like https://www.example.com/page.html. The protocol (“https”) tells the browser how to communicate. The domain name (“www.example.com”) identifies the host server. The path (“/page.html”) points to a specific resource on that server. URLs can also include a port, query parameters, and a fragment that jumps to a section of the page.
| Part | Example | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | https | How to connect |
| Domain | www.example.com | Which server |
| Path | /page.html | Which resource |
URL vs. URI
You may see the terms URL and URI used together. A URI, or Uniform Resource Identifier, is any string that identifies a resource. A URL is the most common kind of URI, one that also tells you how to locate and access the resource. In short, every URL is a URI, but not every URI is a URL.
Why URLs matter
URLs are one of the core mechanisms that make the web usable. They give every page and file a findable address, let people share links, and allow browsers to fetch content reliably. Clear, readable URLs also help people understand where a link will take them before they click.
Reading a URL safely
Because URLs are how people move around the web, they are also worth reading carefully. The part just before the first single slash is the domain, and it tells you who actually controls the page. Checking that the domain matches the site you expect is a simple way to spot misleading links. The protocol matters too: “https” indicates an encrypted connection, which is preferable to plain “http” when sharing any information. Extra pieces after the domain, such as a path or query, point to specific content but do not change who owns the site.
Quick summary
A URL is simply the address of something on the internet. It names the protocol, the host, and often the exact resource, giving browsers everything they need to find and load a page. Learning to read its parts makes the web easier to navigate and safer to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does URL stand for?
Uniform Resource Locator.
What is a URL in simple terms?
It is a web address that tells your browser where to find something online.
What are the main parts of a URL?
A protocol (such as https), a domain name, and often a path to a specific file or page.
What is the difference between a URL and a URI?
A URL is a type of URI; every URL is a URI, but not every URI is a URL.
Where do you see URLs?
In the browser address bar, in links, bookmarks, and emails.