Express express.urlencoded() Middleware
What you’ll learn
- How
express.urlencoded()parses form submissions. - How
extendedaffects body parsing behavior. - How to configure safe payload limits.
- How to combine URL-encoded and JSON parsers correctly.
Syntax
javascript
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }))
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: false, limit: '100kb' }))1
Basic form parsing middleware
javascript
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: true }));
app.post('/contact', function (req, res) {
res.json({ form: req.body });
});2
Choosing extended option
javascript
app.use(express.urlencoded({ extended: false }));❓ FAQ
It parses URL-encoded request bodies, usually sent by HTML forms, and stores parsed values in req.body.
extended controls how rich nested form objects are parsed. true allows richer object structures; false uses simpler parsing.
Yes, when your app accepts both form submissions and JSON requests.
Form values may not appear in req.body, causing handlers to see undefined inputs.
Yes. Use limit in options to guard against overly large request payloads.
Did you know?
express.urlencoded() parses URL-encoded form payloads and makes form fields available on req.body.
About the author
4 people found this page helpful