How Browsers Send Requests
Every time you interact with a website — clicking a link, submitting a form, or simply loading a page — your browser performs a complex series of actions behind the scenes. It constructs a formal HTTP request, packages it with the right information, and sends it across the internet to the appropriate server.
Think of your browser as an assistant who automatically fills out order forms for you. You just say what you want, and the browser handles all the paperwork.
What Goes Into a Request
An HTTP request contains several pieces of information that the server needs to understand what you're asking for.
The Method tells the server what kind of action you want. GET requests ask for information, while POST requests submit data. Your browser chooses the appropriate method based on your action — clicking a link triggers GET, while submitting a form often triggers POST.
The URL Path specifies exactly which resource you want. When you visit example.com/products/shoes, the path /products/shoes tells the server which page to return.
Headers provide additional context about the request. Your browser automatically includes headers describing what types of content it can accept, what language you prefer, and information about itself (called the user agent). Some headers carry cookies that help the server remember you.
The Body (for some requests) contains data you're sending to the server. When you fill out a contact form and click submit, the form data travels in the request body.
The Automatic Nature
What makes browsers powerful is how much they handle automatically. You don't manually construct headers or worry about encoding data properly. The browser manages DNS lookups, establishes secure connections for HTTPS, and formats everything according to HTTP standards.
This automation means you can focus on what you want rather than how to ask for it. But understanding what happens beneath the surface helps when things go wrong — or when you start building web applications yourself.