JavaScript location Object

Written by Swapnil RajaPublished 24 Aug 2026

location describes the current URL and can be used to navigate to another page.

Every part of the address is available as its own property.

Assigning to it sends the browser somewhere else.

Example

javascript

console.log(typeof location.href);
console.log(typeof location.hostname);

Both are string.

Reading the URL

href is the whole address.

pathname is the part after the domain.

search is the query string, starting with a question mark.

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Example

javascript

const url = new URL("https://example.com/search?q=javascript&page=2");
const params = new URLSearchParams(url.search);

console.log(params.get("q"));
console.log(params.get("page"));
console.log(params.get("missing"));

Complete Example

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>JavaScript location Object</title>
</head>
<body>

  <h1>The location Object</h1>

  <p id="out"></p>

  <script>
    const url = new URL("https://example.com/products?id=42&sort=price");
    const params = new URLSearchParams(url.search);

    document.getElementById("out").innerHTML =
      "Host: " + url.hostname +
      "<br>Path: " + url.pathname +
      "<br>Product id: " + params.get("id") +
      "<br>Sort by: " + params.get("sort");
  </script>

</body>
</html>

JavaScript location Object

Example

Reading the URL

Syntax

Breaking Down a URL

Example

Reading a Query Parameter

Example

Building a Query String

Example

Navigating with location

Example

Reloading the Page

Example

Complete Example

Try It Yourself

Important Points

Conclusion