---
id: cloud-accounts.what-is-use-path-style-urls
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/what-is-use-path-style-urls
category: "Cloud accounts"
subcategory: "Other bucket storage (S3-compatible)"
question: "What does \"Use path-style URLs\" do, and should I turn it on?"
alt_questions:
  - "Path-style addressing Storage Studio"
  - "Virtual-host style vs path style S3"
  - "Advanced — addressing + transfer behaviour"
  - "Self-hosted S3 not working path style"
  - "When to enable path-style URLs"
short_answer: "It changes how the bucket name appears in the address used to reach your storage. It's on by default for self-hosted and custom providers and off for Amazon. Turn it on if a self-hosted server won't connect."
tags: ["s3 compatible", "advanced", "path style"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/how-do-i-connect-an-s3-compatible-service", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/can-i-use-a-self-hosted-s3-server"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does "Use path-style URLs" do, and should I turn it on?

It changes how the bucket name is put into the web address when Storage Studio talks to your storage. Most people never need to touch it: it's on by default for self-hosted and custom providers, and off for Amazon.

Turn it on if your S3-compatible server doesn't support the other style — a common case for self-hosted servers on your own network — and Test connection fails with the bucket name in the error. You'll find it under **Advanced — addressing + transfer behaviour** in the Bucket Storage form.