---
title: "POST /catalog/categories"
method: POST
path: "/catalog/categories"
tags: ["Catalog"]
---

# POST /catalog/categories

`POST /catalog/categories`

Creates a `Category` in the BigCommerce Catalog.

## Request body

- CategoryPost — Common Category properties.
  - `parent_id` integer — The unique numeric ID of the category's parent. This field controls where the category sits in the tree of categories that organize the catalog.
  - `name` string — The name displayed for the category. Name is unique with respect to the category's siblings.
  - `description` string — The product description, which can include HTML formatting.
  - `views` integer — Number of views the category has on the storefront.
  - `sort_order` integer — Priority this category will be given when included in the menu and category pages. The lower the number, the closer to the top of the results the category will be.
  - `page_title` string — Custom title for the category page. If not defined, the category name will be used as the meta title.
  - `search_keywords` string — A comma-separated list of keywords that can be used to locate the category when searching the store.
  - `meta_keywords` string[] — Custom meta keywords for the category page. If not defined, the store's default keywords will be used. Must post as an array like: ["awesome","sauce"].
  - `meta_description` string — Custom meta description for the category page. If not defined, the store's default meta description will be used.
  - `layout_file` string — The layout template file used to render this category.
  - `is_visible` boolean — Flag to determine whether the product should be displayed to customers browsing the store. If `true`, the category will be displayed. If `false`, the category will be hidden from view.
  - `default_product_sort` 'use_store_settings' | 'featured' | 'newest' | 'best_selling' | 'alpha_asc' | 'alpha_desc' | 'avg_customer_review' | 'price_asc' | 'price_desc' — Determines how the products are sorted on category page load.
  - `image_url` string — Image URL used for this category on the storefront. Images can be uploaded via form file post to `/categories/{categoryId}/image`, or by providing a publicly accessible URL in this field.
  - `custom_url` CustomUrlCategory — The custom URL for the category on the storefront.
    - `url` string — Category URL on the storefront.
    - `is_customized` boolean — Returns `true` if the URL has been changed from its default state (the auto-assigned URL that BigCommerce provides).

## Response `200`

A category object.

- CategoryResponse — Response payload for the BigCommerce API.
  - `data` Category — Common Category properties.
    - `parent_id` integer — The unique numeric ID of the category's parent. This field controls where the category sits in the tree of categories that organize the catalog.
    - `name` string — The name displayed for the category. Name is unique with respect to the category's siblings.
    - `description` string — The product description, which can include HTML formatting.
    - `views` integer — Number of views the category has on the storefront.
    - `sort_order` integer — Priority this category will be given when included in the menu and category pages. The lower the number, the closer to the top of the results the category will be.
    - `page_title` string — Custom title for the category page. If not defined, the category name will be used as the meta title.
    - `search_keywords` string — A comma-separated list of keywords that can be used to locate the category when searching the store.
    - `meta_keywords` string[] — Custom meta keywords for the category page. If not defined, the store's default keywords will be used. Must post as an array like: ["awesome","sauce"].
    - `meta_description` string — Custom meta description for the category page. If not defined, the store's default meta description will be used.
    - `layout_file` string — The layout template file used to render this category.
    - `is_visible` boolean — Flag to determine whether the product should be displayed to customers browsing the store. If `true`, the category will be displayed. If `false`, the category will be hidden from view.
    - `default_product_sort` 'use_store_settings' | 'featured' | 'newest' | 'best_selling' | 'alpha_asc' | 'alpha_desc' | 'avg_customer_review' | 'price_asc' | 'price_desc' — Determines how the products are sorted on category page load.
    - `image_url` string — Image URL used for this category on the storefront. Images can be uploaded via form file post to `/categories/{categoryId}/image`, or by providing a publicly accessible URL in this field.
    - `custom_url` CustomUrlCategory — The custom URL for the category on the storefront.
      - `url` string — Category URL on the storefront.
      - `is_customized` boolean — Returns `true` if the URL has been changed from its default state (the auto-assigned URL that BigCommerce provides).
    - `id` integer — The unique numeric ID of the category; increments sequentially.
  - `meta` Meta — Empty meta object; may be used later.

## Other responses

- `409` — The `Category` was in conflict with another category. This is the result of duplicate unique values, such as `name` or `custom_url`.
- `422` — The `Category` was not valid. This is the result of missing required fields, or of invalid data. See the response for more details.

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/bigcommerce/apis/bigcommerce-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/bigcommerce/apis/bigcommerce-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-production.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/bigcommerce/bigcommerce-api/revisions/90efb67b99f3/schema)