This study investigated learners' conceptions of learning English and their online self-regulation in a web-based learning environment among. Two questionnaires, Conceptions of Learning English (COLE) and Online Self-regulation of English Learning (OSEL) were administered to 843 university students in China. Based on their different conceptions of learning English, participants were clustered into four groups. Two groups of students considered the process of learning English as understanding and seeing in a new way or being test-oriented. Another two groups consisted of students with high commitment to or low engagement in learning English. The results of ANOVA analysis and Scheffé's test revealed significant differences among the profiled participants in four groups. Students who considered learning English as understanding and seeing in a new way tended to have the strongest online self-regulatory competence. However, students who were test-oriented reported poorly in all aspects of online self-regulation. Our findings echoed previous studies on the relationship between conceptions of learning English and online self-regulation, particularly the negative association between learners' test-oriented conceptions of learning English and their online self-regulation. This research enables us to better understand English language learners in China, particularly in the era of information technology. Implications for practice or policy: (1) The research provided illuminating insights into four groups of learners about their conceptions of learning English and online self-regulation; (2) More challenging learning tasks should be assigned to students with high commitment and more interest-arousing learning tasks to students with low engagement; and (3) Teachers should guide learners who view learning English as seeing in a new way and being test-oriented, to balance their internal interests in learning English with concern about achieving success in examinations.