World Wide Web Consortium

World Wide Web Consortium / W3C
AbbreviationW3C
Formation1 October 1994 (1994-10-01)
FounderTim Berners-Lee
TypeStandards organization
PurposeDeveloping protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web
HeadquartersCambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Location
Coordinates42°21′43″N 71°05′26″W / 42.36194°N 71.09056°W / 42.36194; -71.09056
Region served
Worldwide
Membership460 member organizations
CEO
Seth Dobbs
Staff53
Websitew3.org

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. Founded in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, the consortium is made up of member organizations that maintain full-time staff working together in the development of standards for the World Wide Web. As of May 2025, W3C has 350 members. The organization has been led by CEO Seth Dobbs since October 2023. W3C also engages in education and outreach, develops software and serves as an open forum for discussion about the Web.