Difference Between HTTP and WWW

Last Updated : Sep 6, 2022 / By Sandeep Bhandari / Fact Checked / 3 mins

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a language that communicates between browsers and servers of a website. It defines the way messages are sent and formatted in a web browser.

World Wide Web (WWW) acts as a prefix to the HTTP protocol most of the time. It is a set of linked hypertext records viewed on Chrome, Firefox, and other search engines. Also, it identifies a distinct address as a website.

Comparison Table Between HTTP and WWW

Parameters of Comparison	HTTP	WWW
Significance	HTTP communicates between browsers and servers of a website. Also, HTTP transports data from one machine source to another online.	WWW is used as a prefix in URLs.
Full form	HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.	WWW stands for World Wide Web.
Necessity	It is not mandatory to use HTTP in a URL while creating or reaching out to it.	When it comes to Search Engine Optimization, it is important to use a WWW domain.
Mutual Relationship	Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a language that communicates between browsers and servers of a website.	World Wide Web (WWW) acts as a prefix to the HTTP protocol most of the time.
Ports used	HTTPS uses 483 ports for encryption and decryption of data, whereas HTTP uses 80 ports to function.	World Wide Web can act as a domain and a sub-domain that can operate with or without HTTP.

What is HTTP?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a language that communicates between browsers and servers of a website. It defines the way messages are sent and formatted in a web browser.

HTTP is a way to make a connection(s) that also secures the transfer of data. It serves text documents and binary files and makes client-server connection feasible.

It ensures that the client-server communication is encrypted over SSL. Also, HTTPS uses 483 ports for encryption and decryption of data. The main use of HTTPS comes into action while doing online transactions by any mode of payment.

What is WWW?

World Wide Web (WWW) acts as a prefix to the HTTP protocol most of the time. It is a set of linked hypertext records, viewed on Chrome, Firefox, and other search engines.

When it comes down to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), it isn't important to have a WWW domain. One can use a non-WWW domain to run a website.

Also, it can be used throughout with some special exception cases. WWW has no technical purpose, and a website can work without it pretty efficiently too. Almost all the WWW browsers can use other protocols except HTTP.

Main Differences Between HTTP and WWW

1. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a language that communicates between browsers and servers of a website, whereas the World Wide Web (WWW) acts as a prefix to the HTTP protocol most of the time.
2. HTTPS uses 483 ports for encryption and decryption of data, whereas HTTP uses 80 ports to function. On the other hand, World Wide Web can act as a domain as well as a sub-domain that can operate with or without HTTP.

Conclusion

Using these two acronyms is not mandatory but makes your website more efficient and secure. Although HTTP and WWW are a lot different, most of the time, they coexist. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a language that communicates between browsers and servers of a website.

HTTP is a way to make a connection(s) that also secures the transfer of data. It serves text documents and binary files and makes client-server connection feasible. WWW as a prefix shows that the website is using HTTP protocol for client-server communication.

References

1. https://www.hjp.at/doc/rfc/rfc2616.html
2. https://www.jmir.org/2002/1/e4/?xml