Should you use .htm or .html file extension? What is the difference, and which one is correct?

html

best-practices

web-development

file-management

byNikita Barsukov·Nov 8, 2024

Opt for .html as the file extension for your HTML documents; it's the standard convention in web development today. The .htm variant came into existence due to a historic 3-character limit on older systems like DOS. Currently, there's practically no difference — both perform similarly with browsers and servers. Adhere to .html for consistency and common standards.

Example:

<!-- This won't self-destruct if saved as index.html -->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>Schrodinger's Webpage</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Welcome to the Matrix!</h1>
    <p>Is this a simulation? Who knows!</p>
</body>
</html>

Comprehensive understanding

Historical backdrop and modern conventions

The .htm vs .html debate is grounded more in historical quirks than tech distinctions. With advancements in OS allowing past the 3-character extension limit, .html emerged as the default standard. However, knowing about .htm for older systems is part of a web developer's knowledge arsenal.

Impact on file management and user experience

To avoid confusion in your web project, maintain a uniform naming convention; a mix of .htm and .html files can lead to chaos. Moreover, extension-less URLs (like yoursite.com/about) are not only cleaner but also more versatile for future technologies — a big plus for user experience.

Servers, MIME types, and file extension

Web servers use file extensions to serve content appropriately. They will manage both .htm and .html effortlessly, knowing about server configurations can be your secret weapon to mitigate any rare but existent issues with file dispatch.

The potential need for .htm

In certain unusual scenarios, for example, when dealing with legacy systems or having to align with an existing infrastructure that uses .htm, it might be more suitable to use this extension. Here, the system compatibility priority surpasses the conventional use of .html.

Choosing the standard extension

While .htm is perfectly functional, .html enjoys wider adoption and immediate recognition among fellow developers and tools. This familiarity can cut down error rate and valuable time, especially in a team environment or large-scale projects.

URL aesthetics and SEO factors

Adopting ‘clean URLs’ that hide file extensions can significantly improve both user interaction and search engine optimization (SEO). Besides, this practice separates the public-facing URL from the filed extension, inviting more flexibility when it comes to server configurations and technological advancements.

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