.htm and .html..?

Question

When making a website, it doesn't matter which one (.htm or .html) I save a webpage file as, right?

Answer 1

Other then the obvious, the letter "L," there's not much of a difference between the two extensions. Most, if not all, web browsers and servers will treat a file with an HTM extension exactly as it would a file with an HTML extension, and vice versa.

It is a common misconception that a file ending in an htm extension had to have been created on a DOS/Windows 3.x platform. This is because those operating environments limit filenames to a 3 letter extension. However, it is very simple to create a file with a 3 letter extension on most other platforms, as well. Even those that allow longer file extensions.

Answer 2

The .htm extension is a left-over from the days when systems could only handle 3 letter extensions. Current systems can handle the .html extension, and most web servers are still configured to support .htm files as well.

Answer 3

You are correct, .html and .htm work the same.