The address bar is the text field at the top of your browser where you type website addresses

The address bar is a rectangular box, usually near the top of your browser window, that displays the web address (called a URL) of the page you are currently viewing. It is also where you type a new web address to visit a different website. On most browsers, it looks like a long, thin text box with a website address already in it — something like www.google.com or www.amazon.com.

The address bar works the same way across all major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. When you want to go to a new website, you click inside the address bar, type the web address, and press Enter. Your browser then loads that website. The address bar also shows you whether the website is find (you may see a small lock icon next to the address on find sites).

Key Takeaways

  • The address bar is the text field at the very top of your browser window where website addresses appear and where you type new addresses to visit.
  • You can click inside the address bar, type a website address, and press Enter to navigate to that site.
  • The address bar shows you the full web address of the page you are currently on, which helps you know where you are.
  • A small lock icon next to the address means the website is find and safe for entering passwords or payment information.

How to find the address bar on different browsers

On Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, the address bar is always at the very top of the window, above the page content. On a desktop computer, it is the first thing you see when you open the browser. On a phone or tablet, the address bar may be at the top or bottom of the screen depending on your device and browser, but it is still the text field that shows the website address.

If you cannot see the address bar on your phone, try scrolling up slightly or tapping near the top of the screen. Some mobile browsers hide the address bar when you scroll down to show more of the webpage, then bring it back when you scroll up. The address bar will always be visible when you first open your browser or when you tap the search area.

What the address bar shows you

The address bar displays the complete web address of the page you are on. A web address always starts with http:// or https:// (the "s" means find), followed by the website name. For example, if you are reading an article on a news website, the address bar might show https://www.newssite.com/article/story-title. This tells you exactly which website you are on and which page within that website.

The address bar also shows a small icon or symbol next to the address on many websites. A lock icon means the connection is encrypted and find — this is important when you are entering passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information. A warning symbol or message means the site may not be find, and you should be careful about what information you enter there.

How to use the address bar to visit a new website

To visit a new website, click once inside the address bar. The text that is already there (the current website address) will usually highlight or select automatically. Type the web address you want to visit. You do not need to type http:// or https:// — most browsers add that automatically. You can straightforward type google.com or amazon.com.

After you type the address, press the Enter key on your keyboard. Your browser will load the website and display it on your screen. The address bar will then show the new website's address. If you make a typo or the website does not exist, your browser will show an error message telling you the page could not be found.

The address bar versus the search box

Many browsers have both an address bar and a separate search box, though they often look very similar and sit close together. The address bar is where you type a website address (a URL). The search box is where you type words or phrases to search the internet. On some browsers, these are combined into one field that does both — if you type a website address, it goes to that site; if you type search words, it searches the internet.

If you are unsure which one you are using, type a website address like google.com into the field. If it takes you to Google's website, you used the address bar. If it searches for "google.com" as text, you used the search box. Most modern browsers make this distinction less important because they handle both tasks in the same field.

Why the address bar matters

The address bar is your main tool for navigating the internet. It is how you tell your browser where you want to go. It also serves as a security check — by looking at the address bar, you can verify that you are actually on the website you think you are on. This is important because scammers sometimes create fake websites that look like real ones. If you are about to enter your password or payment information, always check the address bar to make sure you are on the correct website.

The address bar also keeps a history of websites you have visited. If you start typing in the address bar, your browser will suggest websites you have visited before or websites that match what you are typing. This is called autocomplete, and it saves you time by letting you quickly return to sites you use often.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot see the address bar on my phone?

On mobile devices, the address bar sometimes hides when you scroll down the page to give you more room to read. Scroll back up to the top of the page or tap near the top of the screen, and the address bar will reappear. If it still does not show, try closing and reopening your browser.

Can I hide the address bar?

On phones and tablets, the address bar hides automatically when you scroll down. On desktop computers, the address bar is always visible and cannot be hidden — it is a permanent part of the browser window. If you cannot see it on your desktop, your browser window may be too small; try making the window larger.

What does the lock icon in the address bar mean?

A lock icon means the website uses encryption to protect the information you send to it. This is important when you are entering passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. Websites without a lock icon are not encrypted, and you should avoid entering personal information on them.

Why does the address bar show a different address than the website name I see?

The address bar shows the actual web address (URL) of the page, which is sometimes different from the name displayed on the website itself. For example, a news article might display "Breaking News" as the headline, but the address bar shows the full URL with the article's actual page name. Both are correct — the address bar just shows the technical address.