How to Get Request URL in Express: Simple Guide

In Express, you can get the full request URL by combining req.protocol, req.get('host'), and req.originalUrl. This gives you the complete URL the client requested inside your route handler.

Syntax

To get the full request URL in Express, use these parts from the req (request) object:

• req.protocol: The protocol used (http or https).
• req.get('host'): The host name and port.
• req.originalUrl: The path and query string.

Combine them like this: req.protocol + '://' + req.get('host') + req.originalUrl.

javascript

const fullUrl = req.protocol + '://' + req.get('host') + req.originalUrl;

Example

This example shows a simple Express server that logs the full request URL when a client visits the root path.

javascript

import express from 'express';
const app = express();
const port = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  const fullUrl = req.protocol + '://' + req.get('host') + req.originalUrl;
  console.log('Full request URL:', fullUrl);
  res.send('Check your console for the full URL!');
});

app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}`);
});

Output

Server running at http://localhost:3000
Full request URL: http://localhost:3000/

Common Pitfalls

Some common mistakes when getting the request URL in Express include:

• Using req.url alone, which only gives the path and query, missing protocol and host.
• Using req.path, which excludes the query string.
• Not considering proxies or HTTPS setups, which may require trusting proxy headers.

Always combine req.protocol, req.get('host'), and req.originalUrl for the full URL.

javascript

/* Wrong way: only path and query, no protocol or host */
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  console.log(req.url); // outputs only '/' or '/?query=1'
  res.send('URL logged');
});

/* Right way: full URL */
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  const fullUrl = req.protocol + '://' + req.get('host') + req.originalUrl;
  console.log(fullUrl); // outputs full URL
  res.send('Full URL logged');
});

Quick Reference

Summary of useful req properties to get parts of the request URL:

Property	Description	Example Value
req.protocol	Protocol used by the request	http or https
req.get('host')	Host name and port from headers	localhost:3000
req.originalUrl	Original URL path and query string	/path?name=value
req.url	URL path and query (may be modified by middleware)	/path?name=value
req.path	URL path without query string	/path

Key Takeaways

Use req.protocol + '://' + req.get('host') + req.originalUrl to get the full request URL in Express.

Avoid using req.url or req.path alone as they do not include protocol or host.

Remember to trust proxy headers if your app is behind a proxy to get correct protocol.

req.originalUrl includes the path and query string exactly as requested.

Logging the full URL helps debug and understand client requests clearly.