URL vs URI – What’s the Difference? A Simple Guide for All

In the world of the internet and web development, you’ve probably heard the terms URL and URI being tossed around. Sometimes people use them interchangeably — but are they the same thing? Not exactly.

This article will help you clearly understand the difference between URL and URI, using real-world examples like www.google.com, and break everything down into simple language. Whether you’re a student, a developer, or just a curious browser, this guide is for you!

🔍 What is a URI?

URI stands for Uniform Resource Identifier.

A URI is a generic identifier used to name or locate a resource on the internet — it could be a website, a file, an image, a video, or anything else accessible online.

Think of a URI as an umbrella term. It includes both URLs and URNs (Uniform Resource Names).

👉 Definition:

A URI is a string of characters that uniquely identifies a resource either by location, by name, or both.

🔗 Example of a URI:

https://www.google.com/search?q=chatgpt
urn:isbn:0451450523

In the above examples:

The first one is a URL (a type of URI).
The second is a URN (it names a book but doesn’t tell you where to find it).

🌐 What is a URL?

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.

It is the most common type of URI and is what we use every day to locate a resource on the web. If you’ve ever typed www.google.com into your browser — that’s a URL.

👉 Definition:

A URL is a type of URI that tells you how to reach a resource using a specific protocol like http, https, ftp, etc.

🔗 Example of a URL:

Each of these examples contains:

A scheme (https, ftp)
A domain or IP address
Optional paths, queries, and fragments

✅ Key Differences: URI vs URL

Let’s compare them side-by-side so you can remember easily.

Feature	URI	URL
Full Form	Uniform Resource Identifier	Uniform Resource Locator
Purpose	Identifies a resource	Locates a resource
Types	Includes URLs and URNs	Only a type of URI
Example	urn:isbn:0451450523, https://google.com	https://google.com/search?q=chatgpt
Used in Web Browsers	Sometimes (mostly URLs are used)	Always

🔍 Real-World Examples

Here are some common web examples that are URLs (and thus also URIs):

🔎 Google Search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=uri+vs+url
This URL tells the browser to open Google and search for “uri vs url”.
🎥 YouTube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
The video is located via a URL which is part of the URI system.
🧾 Amazon Product Page:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09V7R2X8T
Again, a URL pointing to the location of a product.

All of these are URLs, and therefore URIs.

🧠 Quick Summary to Remember

Every URL is a URI, but not every URI is a URL.
A URI can either locate (URL), name (URN), or both.
URLs are what you use in your browser’s address bar to open a webpage.

📌 Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between URL and URI might seem technical at first, but it’s a small yet important piece of web literacy. The next time you enter a web address or debug a piece of code, you’ll know exactly what you’re working with!

Whether you’re a beginner in web development, learning about HTTP and internet protocols, or just expanding your digital knowledge, this fundamental concept will always be useful.

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