--- title: "[Set Up Your Project] - Use Default URL Pattern" description: Use Default URL Pattern url: https://www.contentstack.com/docs/developers/create-content-types/use-default-url-pattern product: Contentstack doc_type: guide audience: - developers - content-modelers version: current last_updated: 2026-03-25 --- # [Set Up Your Project] - Use Default URL Pattern This page explains how to use Contentstack’s **Default URL Pattern** feature when adding a URL field to a content type, so developers and content modelers can standardize and customize entry URLs for consistency, navigation, and SEO. ## Use Default URL Pattern A well-structured URL is essential for organizing content and enhancing user experience. In Contentstack, the **Default URL Pattern** feature helps you define a standardized structure for your URLs, ensuring consistency across your website. ## Adding a URL Field to Your Content Type **Note:** You can add a URL field while [creating](/docs/developers/create-content-types/create-a-content-type) or [editing](/docs/developers/create-content-types/edit-a-content-type) a content type. To add a URL field to a content type, log in to your [Contentstack account](https://www.contentstack.com/login) and perform the following steps: - Go to your [stack](/docs/developers/set-up-stack/about-stack) and click the “Content Models” icon in the left navigation panel. - Click the content type where you want to add the URL field. **Tip:** You can also click the vertical ellipsis icon in the **Actions** column next to the content type and select **Edit**. - In the “Content Type Builder” page, hover over a field, and click the “+” (Insert a field) icon. - Click the **URL** field from the field selector to add it to your content type. - In the **URL Properties** modal, you can configure the URL settings as needed. **Note:** - For content types set as **Multiple**, both the **Basic** and **Advanced** tabs appear in the URL Properties modal. - For content types set as **Single**, only the **Advanced** tab appears. ## Understanding URL Patterns Once the URL field is added, you can define a **URL prefix** for your entry under the **URL Pattern** section. **Example:** If you set `/blog` as the prefix, all entries under this category will have URLs like: ``` www.examplesite.com/blog/my-first-article www.examplesite.com/blog/my-second-article ``` The prefix helps structure your content by category, making navigation and SEO optimization easier. ## Choosing a URL Pattern You can select from various available URL Patterns to determine how the entry’s unique URL is structured: - ### Title-Based URL Automatically generates a URL based on the entry title. Spaces are replaced with hyphens (`-`), and text is converted to lowercase. **Example:** **Entry Title:** My First Page - **Default Pattern:** `baseURL/:title` - **Generated URL:** `www.examplesite.com/my-first-page` - ### Date and Title-Based URL Includes the entry creation date (YYYY/MM/DD) along with the title. **Example:** **Entry Title:** My First Page - **Created At:** April 4, 2016 - **Default Pattern:** `baseURL/:created_at[YYYY/MM/DD]/:title` - **Generated URL:** `www.examplesite.com/2016/04/04/my-first-page` - ### Month and Title-Based URL This pattern includes only the year, month (YYYY/MM), and title of the entry. **Example:** **Entry Title:** My First Page - **Created At:** April 4, 2016 - **Default Pattern:** `baseURL/:created_at[YYYY/MM]/:title` - **Generated URL:** `www.examplesite.com/2016/04/my-first-page` - ### Custom URL Patterns Allows you to create a custom structure using available variables, custom text, or both. The following variables can be used in the custom pattern field: - `:title`: Uses the entry title (e.g., `/my-first-page`). - `:unique_id`: Uses a unique ID (e.g., `/abcd1234`). - `:year`: Displays the full year (e.g., `/2025`). - `:year_short`: Displays the short year (e.g., `/25`). - `:month`: Displays the numeric month (e.g., `/05`). - `:monthname`: Displays the full month name (e.g., `/january`). - `:monthname_short`: Displays the short month name (e.g., `/jan`). - `:day`: Displays the numeric day of the creation in the URL (e.g., `/30`). - `:year-:month-:day`: Displays the URL creation date in the YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., `/2024-06-15`). #### Here are some examples of custom URL patterns. **Example 1:** - **Custom Pattern:** `/blog/:title/:created_at[MM]/:created_at[DD]` - **Generated URL:** `www.examplesite.com/blog/my-first-page/04/30` **Example 2:** - **Custom Pattern:** `/home/:title/blog/:created_at[MM]/:created_at[DD]` - **Generated URL:** `www.examplesite.com/home/my-first-page/blog/04/30` This approach provides greater flexibility in structuring URLs based on your content strategy. - ### Disable URL Auto-Generation If you select **Disable**, the relative URL field will remain blank, allowing you to manually enter a custom URL when creating an entry. ## Editing and Customizing URLs You can edit or modify the URL anytime while creating or editing an entry. **Note:** - Setting a **URL pattern** only generates the URL and populates it in the URL field. - If you change the entry title after saving, the URL does not update automatically. You must edit it manually if needed. Using the **Default URL Pattern** ensures that your URLs are SEO-friendly, user-friendly, and structured, making your content more accessible and easier to manage. ## Common questions **How do I add a URL field to a content type?** Go to your stack, open the content type in the “Content Type Builder”, insert a field, and select the **URL** field, then configure settings in the **URL Properties** modal. **What is a URL prefix used for in URL patterns?** A **URL prefix** structures your content by category (for example, `/blog`) so entries follow a consistent URL structure. **Will the URL update automatically if I change the entry title?** No. If you change the entry title after saving, the URL does not update automatically and must be edited manually if needed. **What happens if I disable URL auto-generation?** The relative URL field will remain blank, allowing you to manually enter a custom URL when creating an entry.