URL

URL.prototype.search

Returns or sets the query string of the URL including the leading question mark

Syntax

JavaScript
url.search

Return Value

A string containing the query string

Examples

Basic Usage
const url = new URL('https://example.com/search?q=hello&page=1')
console.log(url.search) // '?q=hello&page=1'
Practical Example
const url = new URL('https://example.com/path')
url.search = '?filter=active&sort=name'
console.log(url.href)
Advanced Usage
function hasQueryString(urlStr: string): boolean {
  return new URL(urlStr).search.length > 0
}

Understanding URL.prototype.search

The URL.prototype.search method in JavaScript returns or sets the query string of the URL including the leading question mark. It belongs to the URL object and is one of the most widely used methods for working with url values in modern JavaScript and TypeScript applications.

The method signature is url.search. When called, it returns a string containing the query string. Understanding when and how to use search() helps you write more expressive, readable code.

Common use cases for URL.prototype.search include data transformation, input validation, API response processing, and building reusable utility functions. It works well alongside related methods like url-searchparams, url-pathname, url-hash, enabling you to chain operations together for complex data manipulation pipelines.

Browser support for URL.prototype.search is excellent across all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It is also fully supported in Node.js and Deno. For older environments, transpilation with Babel or a polyfill may be needed.

Browser Compatibility

Supported in all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and Node.js. Part of the ECMAScript standard.

Related Methods

URL.prototype.searchParams

Returns a URLSearchParams object allowing access to the GET query arguments contained in the URL

URL.prototype.pathname

Returns or sets the path section of the URL, which comes after the host and before the query string

URL.prototype.hash

Returns or sets the fragment identifier of the URL including the leading hash character

More URL Methods

Other methods in the URL object

URL.prototype.hrefURL.prototype.originURL.prototype.pathnameURL.prototype.hostnameURL.prototype.hostURL.prototype.portURL.prototype.protocolURL.prototype.hashView all →

Related Tools

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