Express.js Tutorial for beginner – Learn Express with Node.js from Scratch

Published: 25 Aug 2025

If you’re looking to build fast, scalable, and efficient web applications with JavaScript, Express.js is one of the best frameworks to learn. In this Express.js tutorial, we’ll cover everything from what is Express.js to setting it up, building routes, using middleware, and even deploying your app.

Many beginners search for “express.js w3schools” or “express js w3schools” to start learning. While those guides are great, here we’ll combine the best of multiple resources including practical examples and best practices so you can master Express.js without jumping between sites.

Table of Content

What is Express.js?
Why Use Express.js?
Key Features of Express.js
Setting Up Express.js
Routing in Express.js
Middleware in Express.js
1. Global Middleware Example
2. Built-in Middleware
Creating a REST API with Express.js
Deployment Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

What is Express.js?

Express.js is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides features to build web and mobile applications.
It simplifies complex server-side code into small, manageable functions while still allowing powerful customization.

If you’ve been searching for “what is express js”, here’s the short answer:

Express.js is like the backbone of many Node.js web applications — handling routes, HTTP requests, middleware, and responses in an easy, developer-friendly way.

Why Use Express.js?

Lightweight and Fast – Minimal setup with maximum flexibility.
Easy Routing – Built-in routing system to handle HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
Middleware Support – Add custom or third-party functions to process requests and responses.
Full-stack Friendly – Works perfectly with frontend frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.
API-Ready – Quickly build RESTful APIs and microservices.

In fact, if you’ve been searching for “node js express” or “express with node,” you’re essentially looking for this exact combination: Node.js as the runtime, Express.js as the framework.

Key Features of Express.js

Minimalist Framework – Focus on essentials without bloating your app.
Robust Routing – Clean URL structures and route handling.
Middleware Support – Logging, authentication, parsing, etc.
Template Engine Support – EJS, Pug, Handlebars.
Static Files Handling – Serve images, CSS, and JavaScript.
Error Handling – Manage exceptions gracefully.

Setting Up Express.js

Before starting, make sure you have Node.js installed.
To check:

bash

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node -v

npm -v

Step 1 – Create a New Project

bash

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mkdir express-tutorial

cd express-tutorial

npm init -y

Step 2 – Install Express.js

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npm install express

Step 3 – Hello World Example

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const express = require(‘express’);

const app = express();

app.get(‘/’, (req, res) => {

res.send(‘Welcome to the Express.js Tutorial!’);

});

app.listen(3000, () => {

console.log(‘Server running on http://localhost:3000’);

});

Now visit http://localhost:3000 — you’ve successfully created your first Express app.

Routing in Express.js

Routing defines how your app responds to requests at specific endpoints.

Basic GET Route

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app.get(‘/about’, (req, res) => {

res.send(‘About Page’);

});

Route Parameters

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app.get(‘/user/:id’, (req, res) => {

res.send(`User ID: ${req.params.id}`);

});

Query Parameters

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app.get(‘/search’, (req, res) => {

res.send(`You searched for: ${req.query.q}`);

});

Middleware in Express.js

Middleware are functions that execute during the request-response cycle.

Global Middleware Example

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app.use((req, res, next) => {

console.log(`${req.method} ${req.url}`);

next();

});

Built-in Middleware

express.json() – Parse incoming JSON.
express.urlencoded() – Parse URL-encoded data.

Creating a REST API with Express.js

Here’s a mini example of a CRUD API:

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let todos = [];

app.get(‘/todos’, (req, res) => res.json(todos));

app.post(‘/todos’, (req, res) => {

todos.push(req.body);

res.status(201).json({ message: ‘Todo added’ });

});

app.put(‘/todos/:id’, (req, res) => {

todos[req.params.id] = req.body;

res.json({ message: ‘Todo updated’ });

});

app.delete(‘/todos/:id’, (req, res) => {

todos.splice(req.params.id, 1);

res.json({ message: ‘Todo deleted’ });

});

Deployment Tips

Use process.env.PORT for flexibility.
Deploy on services like Heroku, Vercel, or Render.
Use dotenv for environment variables.

Conclusion

So, in this article, we’ve covered “Express.js Tutorial” in detail. From my own experience, the fastest way to truly understand Express.js is to get hands-on start with a small project like a to-do app, experiment with routes, middleware, and APIs, and build up from there.

Express.js is a powerful and flexible framework that can take your Node.js skills to the next level, opening up endless opportunities for web development. Don’t just stop at reading, open your editor, run your server, and start building something amazing today!

FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions beginners ask about Express.js, along with simple, clear answers to help you understand it better.

What is Express.js used for?

Express.js is a web application framework for Node.js that makes building servers and APIs easier. It handles routing, middleware, and request/response processing with minimal code. Developers use it to create websites, APIs, and backend services quickly.

Do I need to know Node.js before learning Express.js?

Yes, having a basic understanding of Node.js will help you learn Express.js faster. Express is built on top of Node.js, so concepts like modules, HTTP, and event-driven programming are essential. If you’re new to Node.js, start with its basics first.

How do I install Express.js?

You can install Express.js using npm by running npm install express in your project folder. Make sure you have Node.js and npm installed first. After that, you can use require(‘express’) in your JavaScript file to start building apps.

What is middleware in Express.js?

Middleware functions in Express.js are like filters that run between the request and response. They can handle tasks like logging, authentication, or parsing data. You can use built-in, third-party, or custom middleware depending on your needs.

Can I build an API with Express.js?

Yes! Express.js is one of the most popular tools for building RESTful APIs. You can easily create routes for GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests to handle data.

Is Express.js free to use?

Yes, Express.js is open-source and completely free to use. You can download it, modify it, and even contribute to its development. Many developers and companies worldwide use it for both small and large projects.

How do I start an Express.js server?

After setting up Express, you can start a server using app.listen(PORT). For example:

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app.listen(3000, () => console.log(‘Server running’));

This makes your app accessible at the specified port.

Can Express.js work with databases?

Yes, Express.js can connect to databases like MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. You just need the right database driver or ORM (like Mongoose for MongoDB). This allows you to store and manage data in your apps.

Is Express.js good for beginners?

Absolutely! Express.js has a simple syntax, great documentation, and a large community. It’s a great way to learn backend development without getting overwhelmed.

What’s the difference between Node.js and Express.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows JavaScript to run on the server. Express.js is a framework built on top of Node.js that simplifies building web applications. In short, Node.js is the engine, and Express.js is the toolkit.