When building web applications, it’s often necessary to access and manipulate the current URL in the web browser. JavaScript provides a simple and easy way to get the current URL in the browser, which can be useful for a wide range of purposes, from tracking user behavior to implementing dynamic navigation menus.
In this article, we’ll explore how to get the current URL in the web browser using JavaScript. We’ll cover two methods: using the window.location property and using the document.URL property.
Method 1: Using the window.location Property
The “window.location” property provides information about the current URL in the browser. This property includes various information about the URL, such as the protocol, hostname, port number, path, and query string.
To get the current URL using the “window.location” property, simply access the property and retrieve the “href” attribute. Here’s an example code snippet:
1 2 | var currentURL = window.location.href; console.log(currentURL); |
In this example, we first declare a variable called currentURL. We then assign it the value of the “window.location.href” attribute, which contains the current URL. Finally, we use the console.log method to print the current URL to the console.
Method 2: Using the document.URL Property
The “document.URL” property provides the current URL of the document, including the protocol, hostname, port number, path, and query string. This property is similar to the window.location property, but provides a more direct way to access the URL.
To get the current URL using the document.URL property, simply access the property and retrieve its value. Here’s an example code snippet:
1 2 | var currentURL = document.URL; console.log(currentURL); |
In this example, we first declare a variable called currentURL. We then assign it the value of the document.URL property, which contains the current URL. Finally, we use the console.log method to print the current URL to the console.
Conclusion
Getting the current URL in the web browser using JavaScript is a simple and useful task for web developers. By using the window.location property or the document.URL property, developers can easily access and manipulate the current URL for a wide range of purposes. Whether it’s for tracking user behavior or implementing dynamic navigation menus, knowing how to get the current URL is an essential skill for any web developer.
6 Comments
I’ve tested this with an iframe embedded in a page in freshdesk.
It returns the URL of the iframe and not what’s in the address bar of the browser.
thank you this post is wonderful 🙂
Hmmm…. I’ve tested this with an iframe embedded in a page and ran the query within the iframe page.
It returns the URL of the iframe and not what’s in the address bar of the browser.
Might need tweaking using parent.location – but I have no idea, sorry.
Sorry, meant top.location, not parent.location
Thank you. This is extremely useful. BTW, in #4 I think you meant – port. But the code is right and that’s what matters!
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