Onto or On

Onto talks about movement from one place to another place.

On talks about movement in one place.

  • The dog jumped onto the sofa.
    (from one place/the floor – to another place/the sofa)
  • He climbed onto the wall for a better view of the sea.
  • The dog jumped on the sofa.
    (only jumping on the sofa)
  • He was climbing on the mountain.