How to use http in flutter step by step guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the http package in Flutter to make network requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
We’ll also create a simple example that fetches and displays data — perfect for a WordPress REST API or any other API.

🧩 Step 1: Add the HTTP package

Open your Flutter project’s pubspec.yaml file and add this dependency:

dependencies:
  flutter:
    sdk: flutter
  http: ^1.2.2

Then run:

flutter pub get

🏗 Step 2: Import the HTTP package

In your Dart file (e.g., api_service.dart), import the package:

import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
import 'dart:convert';

🌐 Step 3: Create a simple API service

Let’s create a service to fetch posts from a WordPress REST API.

File: lib/services/api_service.dart

import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
import 'dart:convert';

class ApiService {
  final String baseUrl = 'https://example.com/wp-json/wp/v2';

  Future<List<dynamic>> fetchPosts() async {
    final response = await http.get(Uri.parse('$baseUrl/posts'));

    if (response.statusCode == 200) {
      return json.decode(response.body);
    } else {
      throw Exception('Failed to load posts');
    }
  }

  Future<void> createPost(String title, String content, String token) async {
    final response = await http.post(
      Uri.parse('$baseUrl/posts'),
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        'Authorization': 'Bearer $token', // For authenticated requests
      },
      body: json.encode({
        'title': title,
        'content': content,
        'status': 'publish',
      }),
    );

    if (response.statusCode != 201) {
      throw Exception('Failed to create post');
    }
  }
}

🖥 Step 4: Use the service in your UI

Now, let’s use the service in a Flutter widget to display posts.

File: lib/screens/posts_screen.dart

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import '../services/api_service.dart';

class PostsScreen extends StatefulWidget {
  const PostsScreen({super.key});

  @override
  State<PostsScreen> createState() => _PostsScreenState();
}

class _PostsScreenState extends State<PostsScreen> {
  final ApiService apiService = ApiService();
  late Future<List<dynamic>> posts;

  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    posts = apiService.fetchPosts();
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(title: const Text('WordPress Posts')),
      body: FutureBuilder<List<dynamic>>(
        future: posts,
        builder: (context, snapshot) {
          if (snapshot.connectionState == ConnectionState.waiting) {
            return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
          } else if (snapshot.hasError) {
            return Center(child: Text('Error: ${snapshot.error}'));
          } else if (!snapshot.hasData || snapshot.data!.isEmpty) {
            return const Center(child: Text('No posts found'));
          } else {
            final posts = snapshot.data!;
            return ListView.builder(
              itemCount: posts.length,
              itemBuilder: (context, index) {
                final post = posts[index];
                return ListTile(
                  title: Text(post['title']['rendered']),
                  subtitle: Text(
                    post['excerpt']['rendered']
                        .replaceAll(RegExp(r'<[^>]*>'), ''), // Remove HTML tags
                  ),
                );
              },
            );
          }
        },
      ),
    );
  }
}

⚙️ Step 5: Update main.dart

Run your app and set the PostsScreen as the home screen:

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'screens/posts_screen.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(const MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  const MyApp({super.key});

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      title: 'HTTP Demo',
      theme: ThemeData(primarySwatch: Colors.blue),
      home: const PostsScreen(),
    );
  }
}

✅ Step 6: Run the app

Run your Flutter app:

flutter run

You’ll see a list of posts fetched from your WordPress API.

📚 Optional — Other HTTP Methods

PUT (Update Post)

Future<void> updatePost(int id, String title, String token) async {
  final response = await http.put(
    Uri.parse('$baseUrl/posts/$id'),
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'Authorization': 'Bearer $token',
    },
    body: json.encode({'title': title}),
  );

  if (response.statusCode != 200) {
    throw Exception('Failed to update post');
  }
}

DELETE (Delete Post)

Future<void> deletePost(int id, String token) async {
  final response = await http.delete(
    Uri.parse('$baseUrl/posts/$id'),
    headers: {'Authorization': 'Bearer $token'},
  );

  if (response.statusCode != 200) {
    throw Exception('Failed to delete post');
  }
}

🎯 Summary

✅ Add http dependency
✅ Create a service class
✅ Use GET, POST, PUT, DELETE
✅ Display data with FutureBuilder