diff --git a/bitset.go b/bitset.go
index cf11581..eae861d 100644
--- a/bitset.go
+++ b/bitset.go
@@ -123,10 +123,19 @@ func FromWithLength(length uint, set []uint64) *BitSet {
 // Bytes returns the bitset as array of 64-bit words, giving direct access to the internal representation.
 // It is not a copy, so changes to the returned slice will affect the bitset.
 // It is meant for advanced users.
+//
+// Deprecated: Bytes is deprecated. Use [bitset.Words] instead.
 func (b *BitSet) Bytes() []uint64 {
 	return b.set
 }
 
+// Words returns the bitset as array of 64-bit words, giving direct access to the internal representation.
+// It is not a copy, so changes to the returned slice will affect the bitset.
+// It is meant for advanced users.
+func (b *BitSet) Words() []uint64 {
+	return b.set
+}
+
 // wordsNeeded calculates the number of words needed for i bits
 func wordsNeeded(i uint) int {
 	if i > (Cap() - wordSize + 1) {
diff --git a/bitset_test.go b/bitset_test.go
index c313f41..cf957ae 100644
--- a/bitset_test.go
+++ b/bitset_test.go
@@ -1482,6 +1482,22 @@ func TestFrom(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestWords(t *testing.T) {
+	b := new(BitSet)
+	c := b.Words()
+	outType := fmt.Sprintf("%T", c)
+	expType := "[]uint64"
+	if outType != expType {
+		t.Error("Expecting type: ", expType, ", gotf:", outType)
+		return
+	}
+	if len(c) != 0 {
+		t.Error("The slice should be empty")
+		return
+	}
+}
+
+// Bytes is deprecated
 func TestBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	b := new(BitSet)
 	c := b.Bytes()