Engineering
PATCH vs PUT in REST APIs: Key Differences, Examples & Best Practices
Learn the crucial differences between PATCH and PUT HTTP methods in REST APIs. Discover when to use each for full or partial updates, with clear examples and best practices to build reliable APIs.
NI
Nikolas Dimitroulakis
Last updated on November 03, 2025
PATCH vs PUT: Understanding the Difference in API Update Methods
Introduction
When working with REST APIs, one of the most common tasks is updating resources. However, there’s often confusion around which HTTP method to use—PATCH vs PUT. Both methods are designed for updates, but they behave differently and have distinct use cases.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the HTTP PATCH method and HTTP PUT method, explore the difference between PATCH and PUT, provide practical PATCH vs PUT examples, and share API best practices for updating resources. This will help you decide when to use PATCH or when to use PUT in your API design.
Introduction to HTTP Methods for Updating Resources
REST APIs use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and PATCH to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. When it comes to updating existing resources, PUT and PATCH are the primary choices.
Choosing the right update method is critical to ensure your API behaves predictably and efficiently, especially when clients are making partial or full updates.
What is PUT in REST APIs?
The HTTP PUT method is used to replace an entire resource at a given URL with the data you send. When you perform a PUT request, you’re expected to provide the complete representation of the resource, and the server overwrites the existing one.
Characteristics of PUT:
- Full replacement: The entire resource is replaced.
- Idempotent: Multiple identical PUT requests result in the same state.
Example: If your user profile contains name, email, and age, a PUT request must include all three. Omitting age could remove that field from the resource.
PUT request example:
PUT /users/123
Content-Type: application/json
{
"name": "Alice",
"email": "alice@example.com",
"age": 30
}
What is PATCH in REST APIs?
The HTTP PATCH method is used for partial updates. Instead of sending the entire resource, you send only the fields you want to modify. The server applies these changes without affecting other fields.
Characteristics of PATCH:
- Partial update: Only specified fields are changed.
- Usually idempotent: Depends on implementation, but ideally multiple identical PATCH requests yield the same result.
Example: To update just the email, you can send a PATCH request with that field only.
PATCH request example:
PATCH /users/123
Content-Type: application/json
{
"email": "alice.new@example.com"
}
| Feature | PUT | PATCH |
|---|---|---|
| Update type | Full resource replacement | Partial resource update |
| Request payload | Complete resource data | Only fields to update |
| Idempotency | Yes | Usually, depends on API |
| Use case | Overwrite existing resource | Modify specific fields |
| Risk of data loss | Higher if fields omitted | Lower, only targeted fields |
When to use PATCH vs PUT
- Use PUT when you want to replace a resource entirely or ensure the whole resource state is sent.
- Use PATCH when you want to update specific fields without touching the rest.
API Best Practices for Using PATCH and PUT
- Always document which fields are required in PUT requests.
- Validate PATCH payloads carefully to avoid inconsistent states.
- Ensure your API clients understand the difference to avoid accidental data loss.
- Implement idempotency where possible for PATCH to maintain predictability.
- Consider your API consumers and use the method that offers the best developer experience.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between PATCH vs PUT is key to effective API design. While PUT replaces an entire resource, PATCH offers a flexible way to update specific parts of a resource. Choosing the right method improves your API’s reliability and makes it easier for clients to interact with.
By following API best practices for updating resources, you can build APIs that are both robust and user-friendly.
FAQ
What’s the key difference between PATCH and PUT?
PUT requests replace the entire resource at the specified URL with the data you send, essentially overwriting it completely. PATCH requests, however, update only specific fields within a resource, leaving the rest unchanged. This makes PATCH ideal for partial updates, while PUT is for full replacements.
How do POST, PUT, and PATCH differ?
POST is generally used to create new resources on the server. PUT either creates a new resource or fully replaces an existing one at a given URL. PATCH is designed specifically for making partial updates to an existing resource without affecting unchanged data.
Is PUT the same as an update operation?
PUT is often used for updates but isn’t exactly the same as a generic "update." It replaces the entire resource with the new representation. In contrast, PATCH updates only parts of a resource. So, PUT is a full update, whereas PATCH is a partial update.
Why might I choose PUT over PATCH?
PUT ensures that the entire resource is consistent by replacing it completely, which can be safer in some scenarios. PATCH is more efficient for making small changes but can be more complex to handle correctly. At ApyHub, we recommend choosing based on your specific update needs and API design goals.
Is PUT part of REST API standards?
Yes, PUT is one of the standard HTTP methods used in RESTful APIs for resource management. REST APIs leverage HTTP verbs like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE to perform different operations, and PUT is commonly used to create or replace resources.