Reference number: CH000709

Does capitalization and spaces matter in Internet addresses?

Question:

Does capitalization and spaces matter in Internet addresses?

Answer:

Spaces

Spaces are not allowed in any Internet address. Therefore, never use spaces when typing in an address.

Capitalization

When typing an Internet address, capitalization may be important. An Internet address is only case sensitive for everything after the domain name. For example, it does not matter if you use uppercase or lowercase computerhope.com, you will still reach the same page. However, when typing the name of the page and/or directories, it is case sensitive. Therefore, http://www.computerhope.com/jargon.htm is different than HTTP://WWW.COMPUTERHOPE.COM/JARGON.HTM, although the domain is valid, because index.htm is uppercase the page will not work (unless an uppercase version of the page existed on the server). The same rule applies if the page on the server is uppercase and not lowercase, if this is the case than the uppercase version would work but not the lowercase.

If you're uncertain if the page and/or directory is uppercase or lowercase, type the address in all lowercase. The majority of pages on the Internet are going to be in all lowercase. 

Additional information:

• See our URL dictionary definition for additional information about URLs as well as related definitions and links.
• Additional information about why you may get a 404 error can be found on document CH001019.