Yes, although they don't pass the URI using the method of index.php?uri=$1 for example, because you can get it within PHP anyway using $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI']. Here's the one for WP RewriteEngine On RewriteBase / RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d RewriteRule . /index.php [L] Code (markup): It's the same basic principle, only they don't send the URI Edit: This is common practice with pretty much all CMS's, MVC's etc