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Next.js › Routing (App/Pages Router)

How does file based routing work in the Next.js App Router?

Beginner

Answer

In the App Router, every folder inside the app directory represents a segment of the URL path, and adding a file named page.js inside that folder makes it a visitable route, so the folder structure of your project directly mirrors the URL structure of your website.
// app/about/page.js is accessible at /about
// app/contact/page.js is accessible at /contact
export default function AboutPage() {
  return <h1>About Us</h1>;
}
Real-world example A company website organizes its about, contact, and pricing pages simply by creating matching folders with page.js files inside the app directory, with no separate routing configuration needed.

Common follow-ups: What file name is required to make a folder into a visitable page?;Can a folder exist without a page.js file inside the App Router?