Apache's default web root directory is /var/www/html in most Linux distributions. This is because the Apache server provides files from a specific document root directory. If there is no custom configuration, systems such as Ubuntu, CentOS, and Fedora use /var/www/html, while macOS (using Homebrew) is usually /usr/local/var/www, and Windows (XAMPP) is C:\xampp\htdocs; to confirm the current path, you can check the Apache configuration file such as httpd.conf or apache2.conf, or create a PHP file containing phpinfo() to view DOCUMENT_ROOT; if you need to change the root directory, you should edit the virtual host file, modify the DocumentRoot and the corresponding
The default web root directory for Apache depends on the operating system and how the server is configured, but in most Linux distributions like Ubuntu or CentOS, it's typically set to /var/www/html
.
Why Does the Web Root Matter?
Apache serves files from a specific directory, known as the document root or web root. If you're setting up a website or troubleshooting why a page isn't loading, knowing where this folder is — or pointing Apache to the right one — is key.
Common Default Paths by OS
Different systems use different paths out of the box:
- Ubuntu (and Debian-based systems):
/var/www/html
- CentOS / RHEL:
/var/www/html
- Fedora:
/var/www/html
- macOS (with Homebrew): Often set to something like
/usr/local/var/www
- Windows (XAMPP):
C:\xampp\htdocs
These defaults are used if you haven't customized your Apache configuration.
If you're using a managed hosting service or a custom server setup, the path might be different. Always check your Apache config file ( httpd.conf
or apache2.conf
) or virtual host definitions to confirm.
How to Find Your Current Web Root
If you're unsure where your Apache server is pulling files from, here's how to find out:
- Look at the main Apache config file:
- On Linux:
/etc/apache2/apache2.conf
or/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
- On Linux:
- Check virtual host files:
- Usually found in
/etc/apache2/sites-available/
- Usually found in
- Search for the
DocumentRoot
directive — that tells you where the web root is currently set.
You can also create a simple PHP file with phpinfo();
and look for the DOCUMENT_ROOT
entry in the output.
Changing the Web Root (When Needed)
Sometimes you'll want to move the web root somewhere else — maybe for development, multiple sites, or easier access.
Here's how to do it safely:
- Edit the appropriate virtual host file.
- Locate the
DocumentRoot
line and change it to your desired directory. - Also update the
<directory></directory>
block to match the new path. - Restart Apache so the changes take effect (
sudo systemctl restart apache2
orhttpd
, depending on your system).
Make sure permissions are correct on the new directory, or Apache won't be able to serve the files.
So unless changed, Apache uses /var/www/html
on most Linux servers. But since setups vary, always double-check your config files or use a quick test to verify.
Basically, that's how it works — not too complicated once you know where to look.
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