DOI Namespace > Presentation Formats of a DOI Name

A DOI name should be preceded by a lowercase "doi:" unless the context clearly indicates that a DOI name is implied. The "doi:" label is not part of the DOI name value. For example, the DOI name "10.1006/jmbi.1998.2354" is displayed and printed as "doi:10.1006/jmbi.1998.2354". This representation complies with the syntax f the IETF specification, RFC 3986, for a representation as a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), in the same way as "ftp:" and "http:".

In a print version, to let the readers know that the DOI name is actionable, Registration Agencies may elect to print the DOI Proxy URL form (see Direct Redirection to a Web Resource with the DOI Proxy). It is then advantageous to use some convention of showing both the plain DOI name and a way to resolve it online (a shorthand way of saying "the DOI name for this article is 10.1002/prot.999 and current information may be found on the web through https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.999" or "...available via https://doi.org/...").

NOTE If the URL form of a DOI name is represented by a button on a web page, the web browser will normally display the full DOI name when the cursor is moved over the button.