Web Capitalization: web, Web, and World Wide Web
Modern technical style often uses lowercase “web,” but this is an editorial convention rather than a universal trademark rule. Microsoft explicitly lowercases web as a modifier, lowercases www in addresses, and preserves different capitalization when a product, UI label, or feature name requires it.
In current Microsoft style, lowercase “web” as a modifier and prefer “the web” to “World Wide Web.” Preserve capitalization when matching a UI label or feature name. For other publications, follow the governing house style rather than treating Microsoft’s preference as universal grammar.
Key details
Important caveats
House Style Boundary
A Microsoft rule is authoritative for Microsoft-style content, not automatically for every publisher. If an organization has its own current style sheet, follow that system consistently.
Ui And Name Boundary
Do not force lowercase when reproducing an official UI label, feature name, product name, or other established proper name that uses different capitalization.
Further guidance
Microsoft Style
Microsoft lowercases “web” as a modifier, prefers “the web” to “World Wide Web,” and lowercases “www” in URLs and internet addresses.
Worked Examples
Microsoft-style prose: “web app,” “web browser,” and “content on the web.” Exact interface text: reproduce the feature or UI label as the product presents it.
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.
- Microsoft Style Guide — web, World Wide Web, WWW (opens in a new tab)Microsoft · Microsoft style lowercases “web” as a modifier except when matching a UI or feature name and prefers “the web” over “World Wide Web.” This supports a current technical/editorial style answer, not a universal trademark rule.