web site (website)

Many writers still split website into "web site" or "web-site." Those forms are outdated and can make professional or academic text look dated. Below you'll find why website is the standard, when exceptions apply, and plenty of ready-to-use rewrites.

Quick answer

Write website as one word. Avoid "web site" and "web-site" unless quoting historical text or following a brand's deliberate styling.

Dictionaries and major style guides list website (closed compound) as the headword.
Use website in almost all public-facing writing; treat nonstandard spellings as proper nouns only for that brand or source.

Core explanation - how compounds evolve

New compounds typically move from two words → hyphenated → one word as they become familiar. Website followed that path as the concept solidified in everyday use.

Pattern: "web site" → "web-site" → "website".
When a compound denotes a single, stable concept (compare email), closed compounds are common.

Hyphenation and spacing - what to watch for

"Web-site" is now nonstandard; "web site" survives mainly in older texts or as an error. Replace either with website unless preserving a quoted or branded form.

Rule of thumb: If it names an online place made of pages, use website.
Reserve hyphens for true compound modifiers when a style guide requires them-not for "web-site."

Authority and exceptions

AP, Chicago, Merriam-Webster, and Oxford treat website as one word. Follow that spelling for public writing to meet reader expectations.

If an internal manual insists on "Web site," follow it for internal documents but use website for outward-facing materials.
Respect a brand's intentional spelling only when referring to that brand as a proper noun; do not generalize the form.

Real usage: quick examples (work, school, casual)

The spelling stays website across tones; pick the phrasing that matches your context.

Work: Our website analytics show a 12% drop in conversion this quarter.
Work (email): Please review the website and send feedback by Friday.
Work (headline): Website Redesign - Q2 Launch Plan
School: In your bibliography, list the website URL and the access date.
School (assignment): Submit the website critique by Monday.
School (citation): See the website for primary-source material.
Casual: I launched my website - take a look!
Casual (chat): Sent you the website link in DM.
Casual (social): New blog post is up on my website.

Try your own sentence

Test the full sentence rather than the isolated phrase. Context usually confirms the correct form.

Examples: wrong → right pairs and rewrites

Focused wrong/right pairs follow, with optional rewrites to improve tone or clarity.

Work - Wrong: Please review the web site analytics and send feedback.Work -
Right: Please review the website analytics and send feedback.
Work - Wrong (headline): Company Web Site Performance UpdateWork - Right: Company Website Performance Update
School - Wrong: Cite the web site in your bibliography as directed.School -
Right: Cite the website in your bibliography as directed.
School - Wrong (citation): Accessed the Web site on April 2, 2026.School - Right: Accessed the website on April 2, 2026.
Casual - Wrong: Check out my new web site!Casual -
Right: Check out my new website!
Casual - Wrong (chat): Sent the web-site link - tell me what you think.Casual - Right: Sent the website link - tell me what you think.
Rewrite (work): Instead of "Please check the website," use "Please review the website and list any issues by Thursday."
Rewrite (school): Instead of "I found the website helpful," use "The website provided useful primary-source information for this assignment."
Rewrite (casual): Instead of "I made a website," use "I launched a new website - take a look!"

Rewrite help - quick checklist

A short workflow to find and fix every instance quickly.

Search for: "web site", "Web site", "web-site", "Web-site".
Replace matches with "website" (preserve title case in headings).
Keep brand-specific spellings as proper nouns after a manual check.
Run a spell/grammar check and a final human skim.

Fix-it example: "Our web site is live." → "Our website is live."
Title fix: "Web Site Accessibility" → "Website Accessibility" (adjust capitalization to your title style).
Batch tip: Use find-and-replace for "web site" → "website," then verify headings and brand names manually.

Memory tricks and quick checks

Use simple mental shortcuts so you write website correctly by habit.

Mnemonic: Visualize the World Wide Web as one "site" you visit - write website as one word.
Analogy: Treat website like email: one concept, one word.
Quick check: If it names an online location of pages, type website and move on.

Usage test: "Visit the website for details." If it reads naturally, the form is correct.

Similar mistakes to fix at the same time

Fix related compound spellings at the same time to keep your document consistent.

e-mail → email
web page / web-page → webpage (many guides accept webpage; choose one and stay consistent)
home page → homepage
log-in (modifier) vs. log in (verb): "Log in to the website" / "the log-in page"
sign-up (noun) vs. sign up (verb): "Sign-up form" vs. "Please sign up."

Wrong: Please send an e-mail with the link to the web page.
Right: Please send an email with the link to the webpage.
Wrong: Log-in to the web site using your credentials.
Right: Log in to the website using your credentials.

FAQ

Is "web site" ever correct?

Only in historical quotations or when following an old, explicit house style. For modern public writing, use website.

Should I write "web-site" with a hyphen?

No. "Web-site" is nonstandard; avoid hyphenating this compound.

Do style guides agree on website?

Yes. Major guides (AP, Chicago, Merriam-Webster, Oxford) list website as the standard one-word form.

How do I treat brand names that use "Web Site" or unusual capitalization?

Use the brand's spelling when referring to that brand as a proper noun. Otherwise use website in your general text.

Are there other tech compound words I should fix?

Yes. Check for e-mail → email, web page → webpage (or web page - pick one), homepage, and log in vs. log-in, and make consistent choices.

Need a fast check?

Search your document for "web site" and "web-site," replace with "website," adjust title case in headings, then do a quick human proofread before publishing.