Cab and taxi are two words we use to refer to a type of vehicle for hire with a driver. Although some people assume that these two words have different meanings, this is not so. In fact, there is no difference between cab and taxi. Both these words are used interchangeably throughout English-speaking countries.

In the United States, both "cab" and "taxi" are used interchangeably and are universally understood, though their usage can vary slightly by region and context. In New York City, "cab" is the dominant term (e.g., "hailing a cab"), whereas in many Southern and Midwestern states, "taxi" is more common. In 2026, both terms have been somewhat overshadowed by the term "rideshare" (referring to Uber or Lyft), which is now the most frequent way Americans request on-demand transport. Historically, "cab" is a shortening of cabriolet (a horse-drawn carriage), while "taxi" comes from the taximeter used to calculate the fare. If you are standing on a street corner in a major U.S. city, shouting "Taxi!" is the classic way to get a driver's attention, but if you are asking a hotel concierge to arrange transportation, saying "Could you call me a cab?" or "Is there a taxi stand nearby?" will yield the exact same result without any confusion.