How to Increase File Upload Size in Web Applications (Nextjs, Express.js, Nginx, Apache)

When handling file uploads in a web application, the default upload size limit may be too small for large files. Here’s how you can increase it based on different technologies. 1. Next.js (API Routes & Server Actions) In Next.js, you can configure the upload size limit in next.config.js: const nextConfig = { api: { bodyParser: { sizeLimit: "10mb", // Adjust this based on your needs }, }, experimental: { serverActions: { bodySizeLimit: "2mb", // Increase for server actions if needed }, }, }; export default nextConfig; 2. Express.js For an Express server, use express.json() or express.urlencoded() with a custom limit: app.use(express.json({ limit: "50mb" })); app.use(express.urlencoded({ limit: "50mb", extended: true })); 3. Nginx (Reverse Proxy) If you use Nginx as a proxy, update its config: client_max_body_size 100M; Restart Nginx after changes: sudo systemctl restart nginx 4. Apache For Apache, update .htaccess or php.ini: php_value upload_max_filesize 100M php_value post_max_size 120M Restart Apache: sudo systemctl restart apache2 Best Regards, N I Rimon

Mar 1, 2025 - 10:57

How to Increase File Upload Size in Web Applications (Nextjs, Express.js, Nginx, Apache)

When handling file uploads in a web application, the default upload size limit may be too small for large files. Here’s how you can increase it based on different technologies.

1. Next.js (API Routes & Server Actions)

In Next.js, you can configure the upload size limit in next.config.js:

const nextConfig = {
  api: {
    bodyParser: {
      sizeLimit: "10mb", // Adjust this based on your needs
    },
  },
  experimental: {
    serverActions: {
      bodySizeLimit: "2mb", // Increase for server actions if needed
    },
  },
};

export default nextConfig;

2. Express.js

For an Express server, use express.json() or express.urlencoded() with a custom limit:

app.use(express.json({ limit: "50mb" }));
app.use(express.urlencoded({ limit: "50mb", extended: true }));

3. Nginx (Reverse Proxy)

If you use Nginx as a proxy, update its config:

client_max_body_size 100M;

Restart Nginx after changes:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

4. Apache

For Apache, update .htaccess or php.ini:

php_value upload_max_filesize 100M
php_value post_max_size 120M

Restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Best Regards,
N I Rimon