What Are the Parts of a URL?

Every time you click on a link or type a website into your browser, you’re using a URL. Short for Uniform Resource Locator (URL), it’s the web address that guides your browser to the information you want to see. While you may use URLs daily, understanding the parts of a URL can help you stay safer online, troubleshoot website issues and better grasp how the web works. Explore each part of a URL and what role it plays in directing you through the internet.

1. Scheme or Protocol

The scheme, also called the protocol, is at the very beginning of every URL. It tells your browser how to communicate with the server hosting the website. Common examples include:

• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• Mailto (for email links)

HTTPS is the most frequently used scheme for websites today, especially those involving personal information. The “S” in HTTPS stands for “secure,” which means the connection is encrypted and safe to use. HTTPS helps protect your data from being intercepted by third parties during transmission. The scheme is usually visible at the top of your browser, and most modern browsers automatically use HTTPS whenever it is available.

2. Subdomain

Following the scheme and the colon-slash-slash (://), you might encounter a subdomain. This optional part appears before the main domain name. Here are examples of common subdomains:

• www (World Wide Web)
• blog
• shop
• support

Subdomains organize content within a larger website. For example, a university might use admissions.universityname.edu for its admissions department and library.universityname.edu for library resources. While “www” is familiar, many websites now omit it without changing functionality. Understanding subdomains is helpful when you’re managing a website or accessing specific areas of large platforms.

3. Domain Name

The domain name is the centerpiece of the URL and the part you’re most likely familiar with. It’s the name you remember when visiting a website, like nytimes.com or mit.edu. A domain name includes two parts:

• Second-Level Domain (SLD): This is the readable name, such as google or harvard.
• Top-Level Domain (TLD): This comes right after the dot and includes extensions like .com, .org, .edu, .gov and newer ones like .tech or .ai.

Domains are registered through accredited registrars and certain TLDs — like .gov (used by U.S. government institutions) or .edu (used by educational institutions) — are restricted to verified organizations.

4. Port Number (Optional)

Though not often visible in everyday browsing, the port number is part of the URL that defines the entry point to a specific service on the server. It appears after the domain name and a colon. Examples of port numbers include:

• :80 for HTTP
• :443 for HTTPS
• :21 for FTP

In most cases, browsers use the correct port automatically, so it doesn’t need to be shown. However, web developers and network admins sometimes use custom port numbers for testing or accessing alternate services on the same domain. Knowing about port numbers is helpful for advanced users and developers working with servers or APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

5. Path

After the domain name or port number, the URL may include a path. This is a slash (/) followed by a directory or file location on the web server. Here’s what it looks like:

https://example.com/blog/article1

In this case, “/blog/article1” is the path. It tells the browser exactly where to go within the website structure. Think of it as the file folder system of the web. Paths direct users to specific pages, blog posts or downloadable files. The structure of paths is especially important for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), helping search engines understand how a site is organized.

6. Query String

Some URLs include extra information after a question mark (?). This part of the URL is called the query string, and it’s commonly used for search results, filtering and tracking. Here’s an example:

https://example.com/search?query=laptops&brand=asus

In this case:

• query=laptops is one key-value pair
• brand=asus is another

Each key-value pair is separated by an ampersand (&). Websites use query strings to customize what you see based on your input, such as product filters or search terms. Online stores, search engines and form submissions frequently use query strings. While helpful, too many query parameters can make URLs hard to read, which is why many sites now use cleaner formats when possible.

7. Fragment Identifier (Anchor)

The last part of a URL — beginning with a hash symbol (#) — is called the fragment identifier or anchor. It directs your browser to a specific section within a webpage, rather than loading the entire page from the top. Here’s an example:

https://example.com/faq#shipping

This link would bring you directly to the “shipping” section of the FAQ page. Fragments are particularly helpful in lengthy documents and support pages, where you may only need one section. They don’t get sent to the server and don’t affect the page loading process — they only help your browser scroll to the correct part of the page.

Quick Example of a Full URL Breakdown

To bring everything together, let’s break down the parts of this sample URL:

https://blog.nasa.gov/space-news/latest-launch?filter=moon#section3

• Scheme: https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
• Subdomain: blog
• Domain: nasa.gov (SLD: nasa, TLD: .gov)
• Path: /space-news/latest-launch
• Query string: ?filter=moon
• Fragment: #section3

Why Understanding the Parts of a URL Matters

Even if you don’t work in web development, recognizing the parts of a URL can benefit you in many ways:

• Cybersecurity: Recognizing official domains helps you avoid phishing or scam websites.
• Troubleshooting: When a website breaks, knowing which part of the URL controls what can help you explain the issue or adjust it yourself.
• Web literacy: The more you understand how URLs work, the easier it becomes to use advanced tools, explore new content or even build your own website.

Mastering the Basics of Web Navigation

Understanding the parts of a URL gives you more than just tech knowledge — it gives you control. From recognizing a secure connection to decoding a complex search result, each element in a URL reveals something useful.

As you continue browsing, keep an eye on your address bar. Whether you’re researching, shopping or setting up a website, being fluent in URLs helps you stay informed and safer online. Tech literacy starts with the small details, and few are as foundational as the URL.