URL.createObjectURL()

The URL.createObjectURL() static method creates a DOMString containing a URL representing the object given in the parameter. The URL lifetime is tied to the document in the window on which it was created. The new object URL represents the specified File object or Blob object.

To release an object URL, call revokeObjectURL().

Note: This feature is available in Web Workers.

Note: This feature is not available in Service Workers due to its potential to create memory leaks.

Syntax

const objectURL = URL.createObjectURL(object)

Parameters

object
A File, Blob, or MediaSource object to create an object URL for.

Return value

A DOMString containing an object URL that can be used to reference the contents of the specified source object.

Examples

See Using object URLs to display images.

Usage notes

Memory management

Each time you call createObjectURL(), a new object URL is created, even if you've already created one for the same object. Each of these must be released by calling URL.revokeObjectURL() when you no longer need them.

Browsers will release object URLs automatically when the document is unloaded; however, for optimal performance and memory usage, if there are safe times when you can explicitly unload them, you should do so.

Using object URLs for media streams

In older versions of the Media Source specification, attaching a stream to a <video> element required creating an object URL for the MediaStream. This is no longer necessary, and browsers are removing support for doing this.

Important: If you still have code that relies on createObjectURL() to attach streams to media elements, you need to update your code to simply set srcObject to the MediaStream directly.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
File API
The definition of 'createObjectURL()' in that specification.
Working Draft Initial definition.
Media Source Extensions
The definition of 'URL' in that specification.
Recommendation

MediaSource extension.

Older versions of this specification used createObjectURL() for MediaStream objects; this is no longer supported.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
createObjectURL
Experimental
Chrome Full support 19Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 19
Notes
Full support 19
Notes
Notes createObjectURL() is no longer available within the context of a ServiceWorker.
IE Full support 10
Notes
Full support 10
Notes
Notes If the underlying object does not have a content type set, using this URL as the src of an img tag fails intermittently with error DOM7009.
Opera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 25Firefox Android Full support 19
Notes
Full support 19
Notes
Notes createObjectURL() is no longer available within the context of a ServiceWorker.
Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 6Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.5
No longer accepts MediaStream objectChrome ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Edge ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Firefox Full support 62IE ? Opera ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Safari ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
WebView Android ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Chrome Android ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Firefox Android Full support 62Opera Android ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Safari iOS ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.
Samsung Internet Android ?
Notes
?
Notes
Notes See here for progress on deprecation.

Legend

Full support
Full support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also