The total number of websites in the world fluctuated between 1,106,671,903 and 1,146,976,964 in 2022-2023. This figure keeps on changing as you are reading this post. A new website is launched every three seconds, while some older sites get deleted.
Only 18% of all the websites out there are up and running. This means you can now visit around 200 million sites across the web.
Keep on reading to discover more fun facts and figures about the world wide web.
The Total Number of Websites
The first website in the world was created in 1991. Fast forward to the present day, and we have over a billion websites on the web. According to Netcraft’s data, there were approximately 1,106,671,903 websites as of June 2023.
New websites are created at an astounding rate. According to Siteefy’s calculations, a new website is launched every three seconds. The web grows by approximately 175 websites every minute and 252,000 sites each day.
However, the number of websites fluctuates up and down rather than going up all the time. While new websites are registered, a lot of older sites are deleted. That’s why it’s hard to calculate exactly how many websites are on the internet at a given moment.
The 1 billion milestone was reached back in September 2014. Shortly afterward, it dipped below that mark. The milestone was crossed again only in a year and a half, in March 2016. Since then, the total number of websites out there has always been above the 1 billion mark. Yet, it was higher in June 2022 (1,146,976,964) compared to June 2023 (1,106,671,903).
The Number of Active Websites
Despite the vast number of websites, only a fraction of them are actively used. In fact, a mere 18% of all websites in the world are considered active. This means that the remaining 82% of websites are either parked domains or serve similar functions.
In June 2023, there were 201,898,446 active websites compared to a staggering 904,773,457 inactive ones. This implies that the total number of active websites is nearly five times less than the number of inactive ones.
Moreover, many websites dubbed active are not so active on closer inspection. They don’t receive updates and lack fresh content and engagement. This further narrows down the number of truly active, working sites.
The Number of Web Pages
Websites are composed of web pages. A single website can contain any number of pages, from one to thousands and even millions. For instance, Wikipedia stretches across more than 297 million web pages. Obviously, calculating the total number of web pages is even harder than the number of websites.
The absolute number of existing web pages is unknown. Yet, certain estimations provide some insight into their vastness. According to research by Tilburg University, the Indexed Web contained over 4.77 billion pages in May 2023. The total number of web pages is definitely larger. It’s likely to exceed 50 billion pages.
The Amount of Data on the Internet
According to a number of studies, the average size of a web page is between 2 MB and 3 MB. Yet, the ever-evolving nature of the internet makes it challenging to accurately assess the total amount of information available online.
There are some estimations though. Global internet traffic is projected to reach a mind-boggling 175 zettabytes by 2025. To put this into perspective, a single zettabyte can hold approximately 36,000 hours of high-definition video.
FAQ
What is a website?
A website is a virtual space on the internet where information and services are accessible. It typically comprises multiple web pages interconnected through hyperlinks.
These web pages are built using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They are stored on a web server and displayed to users through web browsers.
Each page within a website can contain text, images, videos, audio, forms, and other interactive elements.
Websites serve as online hubs for communication, engagement, and global connectivity.
When was the first website created?
The first website in the world went online on August 6, 1991. It was launched by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.
How many websites are there on the internet?
The total number of websites fluctuated around 1.1 billion in 2022-2023. It reached the 1 billion milestone for the first time in 2014. It later dipped below that mark but recovered in March 2016. The total number of websites has always been above 1 billion since then. While new websites continue to be launched at a staggering rate, the number fluctuates as older sites are deleted.
How many active websites are there?
Only 18% out of 1.1 billion websites are considered active. For instance, in June 2023, there were 201,898,446 active websites, contrasting with a staggering 904,773,457 inactive ones. There is one active website for five inactive ones. Even among the “active” websites, many lack updates, fresh content, and user engagement, further reducing the number of truly active and functional sites.
