POST (HTTP)

In computing, POST is a request method supported by HTTP used by the World Wide Web. By design, the POST request method requests that a web server accept the data enclosed in the body of the request message, most likely for storing it.[1] It is often used when uploading a file or when submitting a completed web form.

HTTP
Persistence Compression HTTPS QUIC
Request methods
OPTIONS GET HEAD POST PUT DELETE TRACE CONNECT PATCH
Header fields
Cookie ETag Location HTTP referer DNT X-Forwarded-For
Response status codes
301 Moved Permanently 302 Found 303 See Other 403 Forbidden 404 Not Found 451 Unavailable for Legal Reasons
Security access control methods
Basic access authentication Digest access authentication
Security vulnerabilities
HTTP header injection HTTP request smuggling HTTP response splitting HTTP parameter pollution
v t e

In contrast, the HTTP GET request method retrieves information from the server. As part of a GET request, some data can be passed within the URL's query string, specifying (for example) search terms, date ranges, or other information that defines the query.

As part of a POST request, an arbitrary amount of data of any type can be sent to the server in the body of the request message. A header field in the POST request usually indicates the message body's Internet media type.