Length of URLs

how long is too long?

[George Cooper]

Hi everyone,

I'm developing a site which is turning out to have some rather long URLs (some long directory and file names). I'm concerned that this might present a problem for certain browsers/web servers/search engine robots.

So basically I want to know... is there a maximum length for a URL set in any standard or otherwise?

[victor]

Not in the standards.

Still popular Microsoft browsers don't want to see more than 2K:

[support.microsoft.com...]

[jetboy]

[gbiv.com ]

Here's Tim Berners-Lee's URI spec. As Victor said, there's no limit specified here (either directory structure, or dynamic parameter), and the actual limits are imposed by the user agent.

The belief of a 256 character limit seems widespread, but is seemingly based on the limitations of an unspecified 'older' pre-version 4 browser.

I've been led to believe that .net has a limit of 256 character on the URI stem (the directory structure and filename bit), but no limit on the query string. Obviously only an issue if you're working in .net.

For opinion, take a look at:
[useit.com ]
[w3.org ]

and remember that long links in emails tend to break.

[George Cooper]

Thanks Victor,

2k is plenty!

[George Cooper]

Thanks jetboy,

I have heard similar myself (256 char limit). Seems to not be a problem though :)

cheers