What is the difference between .html and .htm?

When you start creating web pages, you might come across two similar file extensions: .html and .htm. Both are used for the same purpose—to store HTML (HyperText Markup Language) code that browsers read to display web pages. Here’s a simple explanation of the difference between the two:

.HTML vs .HTM: What’s the Difference?

.HTML

The .html extension is the standard extension for files containing HTML code. It explicitly indicates that the file is a Hypertext Markup Language file. This extension is widely recognized and used because it clearly defines the file type as HTML, which is essential for web pages.

.HTM

The .htm extension is essentially a shorter version of the .html extension. It was used historically because earlier operating systems, like DOS (Disk Operating System), had a limitation: they could only support three-letter file extensions. As such, .htm became an alternative to .html.

Which One Should You Use?

1. Modern Use: Today, most systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, can handle file names with extensions longer than three characters. Therefore, .html is the more common and recommended extension to use for HTML files.
2. Compatibility: Both .html and .htm files work the same way, and all web browsers can read and display HTML content from files with either extension without any problem.
3. Personal or Organizational Preference: Sometimes, the choice might depend on personal preference or organizational standards. If you are working in a team or following a project guideline, it’s best to stick to the standard used by your group.

Conclusion

In summary, while there is no functional difference between .html and .htm files, .html is more commonly used because it is more descriptive and aligns with modern file-naming practices. For new users and developers, sticking to .html is a safe and practical choice as you begin designing and developing web pages.