cURL Command Generator

This tool generates executable cURL commands from structured HTTP request inputs. Instead of manually assembling flags, headers, and payloads, you can describe the request in a clear, form-based way and get a command that can be run directly in a terminal.

It is especially useful when testing APIs, reproducing requests from code or documentation, or sharing reproducible examples with teammates. The generated command reflects exactly what will be sent over the wire.

How the Command Is Generated

The generator starts with a base cURL invocation and adds flags based on the selected HTTP method, headers, and body. JSON headers and request bodies are validated and then serialized into the appropriate -H and -d flags.

Optional features such as multiline formatting, automatic content type headers, and response metadata flags are applied deterministically so the final command is predictable, readable, and easy to modify.

Inputs and Options Explained

The inputs map closely to how HTTP requests are defined, making it easy to translate from application code or API docs.

• Request URL — The full endpoint URL the request is sent to.
• HTTP method — Choose between GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, or DELETE.
• Headers (JSON) — Key-value pairs converted into -H flags.
• Body (JSON) — Serialized and passed using-d for methods that support a request body.
• Quote style — Use single or double quotes around values for shell compatibility.
• Multiline cURL — Splits long commands across multiple lines for readability.
• Auto add Content-Type — Adds a JSON content type header when a body is present.
• Include --compressed — Adds support for compressed responses.
• Include response headers (-i) — Prints response headers along with the body.
• Trim input — Removes accidental whitespace from inputs before generation.

Examples and Edge Cases

GET requests ignore the body input even if provided, while POST, PUT, and PATCH requests include it. Invalid JSON in headers or body prevents generation to avoid producing misleading commands.

Quote style matters when running commands in different shells. Single quotes are safer in most Unix shells, while double quotes may be required if variable interpolation is needed.

Who Should Use This Tool

This tool is designed for anyone who works with HTTP APIs or needs to reproduce network requests outside of application code.

• Backend and frontend developers testing APIs
• QA engineers reproducing requests from bug reports
• DevOps engineers validating endpoints from the terminal
• Anyone learning how cURL commands are structured

Related Concepts

Understanding how HTTP requests are composed helps explain the generated output.

• HTTP methods — Verbs that describe the action being performed on a resource.
• Request headers — Metadata describing the request and its payload.
• Request bodies — Data sent to the server, commonly encoded as JSON.

If your request body or headers contain JSON, validating and cleaning them with the JSON Formatter can prevent malformed commands. For generating encoded query parameters, the URL Encoder & Decoder is often used alongside cURL.

Frequently Asked Questions