Writing & StyleStyle guide
Internet Capitalization
Modern house styles commonly lowercase “internet.” Microsoft’s current style guide explicitly says not to capitalize it. Capitalization can still differ in quotations, proper names, legacy material, or a publication that intentionally follows another style.
Microsoft style writes “internet” lowercase. Follow the required house style, and preserve capitalization when it is part of a quoted or proper name.
Key details
Core Issuewhether the common noun internet is capitalized
Microsoft Stylelowercase internet
Scopehouse-style and proper-name contexts can override generic treatment
Important caveats
Boundary
Do not silently alter capitalization inside a proper name, branded term, or faithful quotation.
Further guidance
Current Style
Microsoft explicitly instructs writers to use “internet” lowercase.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- internet, intranet, extranet — Microsoft Style Guide (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft house style lowercases internet, intranet, and extranet