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Confusing words explained

“uri” vs “url” — What’s the Difference?

URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is the broad term for any string that identifies a resource — by location OR by name. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a specific KIND of URI that identifies a resource by its network location and how to access it (the protocol and address). Every URL is a URI, but a URI can also be a URN (Uniform Resource Name) like ISBN — an identifier that doesn't tell you how to fetch it.

Key takeaway

Quick Difference: uri vs url

URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is the broad term for any string that identifies a resource — by location OR by name. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a specific KIND of URI that identifies a resource by its network location and how to access it (the protocol and address). Every URL is a URI, but a URI can also be a URN (Uniform Resource Name) like ISBN — an identifier that doesn't tell you how to fetch it.

uri vs url Side-by-Side Comparison

Meaning of uri

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Meaning of url

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How to Remember the Difference

URL = URI that LOCATES the resource (protocol + address). URI is the broader identifier category.

Frequently Asked Questions About uri vs url

What’s the difference between “uri” and “url”?

URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is the broad term for any string that identifies a resource — by location OR by name. URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a specific KIND of URI that identifies a resource by its network location and how to access it (the protocol and address). Every URL is a URI, but a URI can also be a URN (Uniform Resource Name) like ISBN — an identifier that doesn't tell you how to fetch it.

How can I remember uri vs url?

URL = URI that LOCATES the resource (protocol + address). URI is the broader identifier category.