Node.js - send JSON in response (default HTTP server)

In this article, we would like to show you how to send JSON in response using Node.js.

Quick solution:

const app = http.createServer((req, res) => {
    const object = {
        id: 1,
        name: 'John'
    };
    res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json');
    res.end(JSON.stringify(object));
});

Practical example

In this example, we use setHeader() method to set response header to Content-Type: application/json. Then, using JSON.stringify() method we can send the JSON as a response using end() method.

const http = require('http');

const app = http.createServer((req, res) => {
    const object = {
        id: 1,
        name: 'John'
    };
    res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/json');
    res.end(JSON.stringify(object));
});

app.listen(8080, () => console.log('Server started on port 8080.'));

Hint: use Express.js to handle requests in different paths, .e.g. is available here.

See also

1. Express.js - send JSON in response

References

1. JSON.stringify() - JavaScript | MDN
2. HTTP | Node.js v19.6.1 Documentation - http.createServer()
3. HTTP | Node.js v19.6.1 Documentation - response.setHeader()
4. HTTP | Node.js v19.6.1 Documentation - response.end()