URL
In one line
A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address that identifies a specific resource on the web.
In simple words
A URL is the address you type into a browser to reach a web page, image, API endpoint, or any other resource. It tells the browser which server to contact, which path to request, and sometimes which parameters to send.
A URL has several parts: the scheme (https), the host or domain (example.com), the port (optional, e.g. :443), the path (/users/42), the query string (?sort=name), and the fragment (#section). Each part plays a role in locating the exact resource you want.
URLs are fundamental to how the web works. Every link, every image source, every API call uses a URL. Understanding their structure helps you build routes, debug requests, and design clean, readable web addresses.
Example
https://example.com:443/users/42?sort=name#profile
https → scheme (protocol)
example.com → host (domain)
:443 → port (optional)
/users/42 → path
?sort=name → query string
#profile → fragment (in-page anchor)A URL broken into its components: scheme, host, port, path, query, and fragment.
Related terms
Related Resources
Related Lessons
- URL
Learn the structure of URLs
Related Tools
- URL Encoder
Percent-encode and decode URLs
Learn the fundamentals
Deepen your understanding with structured lessons on this topic.
Decode error messages
Plain-English explanations of common errors — what they mean, why they happen, and how to fix them.