Guide · Open source

How to use FilePond: install, upload and optimize files

Updated 2026-10-29 · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

FilePond is an open-source JavaScript library that adds a file upload box to a web page. Users can drop, select or paste files into it, preview them, and have images optimized before they are sent to a server. This guide shows you how to install it, create your first upload component, and find the features you may need next.

FilePondpqina/filepond · ★ 16.4k · MIT Install options & downloads

Quick start

1Check prerequisites. Install Node.js and npm if you plan to use the npm package.
2Install the package. Run npm install filepond in your project folder.
3Import FilePond. Import the library into your JavaScript file.
4Create a pond. Call FilePond.create with options such as multiple and name.
5Add it to the page. Append pond.element to the DOM where you want the upload box.
6Connect a backend. Set up a server endpoint that receives the uploaded files.

What FilePond does and who it is for

FilePond is a code library, not a finished app. You add it to a website or web app, and it gives users a polished upload widget. The README describes it as accessible, usable on mobile and desktop, and able to upload anything you throw at it.

Accepts directories, files, blobs, local URLs, remote URLs and Data URIs
Drop files, select from the filesystem, copy and paste, or add files using the API
Async uploads with AJAX, chunk uploads, and base64 encoding for form posts
Image resizing, cropping, filtering, and EXIF orientation fixes
Adapters for React, Vue, Angular, Svelte and jQuery

Install FilePond with npm

If you install from npm, you need Node.js and npm. Run the install command in your project folder.

npm install filepond

Create your first pond in JavaScript

Import FilePond in your project, then call create. The multiple option allows more than one file, and name sets the field name used when the file is sent. Finally, append the pond element to the page.

import * as FilePond from 'filepond';

// Create a multi file upload component
const pond = FilePond.create({
    multiple: true,
    name: 'filepond',
});

// Add it to the DOM
document.body.appendChild(pond.element);

Use FilePond from a CDN without a build step

If you do not use a bundler, you can load the stylesheet and script from unpkg. Add a file input with the class filepond, then call FilePond.parse on the page to turn every matching input into a pond.

Link dist/filepond.css in the head
Load dist/filepond.js before your script
Call FilePond.parse(document.body) to transform inputs

<input type="file" class="filepond" />

<script>
    FilePond.parse(document.body);
</script>

Add plugins and adapters for more features

Extra behaviour comes from separate plugins, such as file size validation, file type validation, image preview, image crop, image resize and image EXIF orientation. If you use React, Vue, Angular, Svelte or jQuery, the README lists an official adapter for each framework.

The README also lists a locale folder with language files. You can load one with FilePond.setOptions.

Image resize and image crop plugins for optimizing images
File size and file type validation plugins
Official adapters: react-filepond, vue-filepond, ngx-filepond, svelte-filepond, jquery-filepond

import pt_BR from 'filepond/locale/pt-br.js';

FilePond.setOptions(pt_BR);

Plan your server side before you upload

This repository is the front-end library. The README points to separate backend examples for PHP, Django, Laravel, SilverStripe and Ruby on Rails. You will need a server endpoint that receives the files, so pick a backend example or write your own handler.

What people use it for

Letting users upload profile photos that are resized and rotated correctly before sending
Accepting large files in chunks so uploads can continue in pieces
Adding a drag-and-drop upload box to a React, Vue, Angular or Svelte app
Validating file types and sizes before anything leaves the browser

Frequently asked questions

Is FilePond free to use?

FilePond is released under the MIT licence, as stated in the repository. Check the LICENSE file in the repo for the full terms.

Do I need Node.js to use FilePond?

Node.js and npm are needed only if you install from npm. The README also shows a CDN option using unpkg, which loads the stylesheet and script directly in an HTML page.

What is the install command for FilePond?

The README gives npm install filepond. After installing, import it and call FilePond.create, or load it from a CDN.

Does FilePond work with React, Vue or Angular?

Yes. The README lists official adapters for React, Vue, Angular, Svelte and jQuery, each in its own repository.

Can FilePond upload large files?

The README says it supports chunk uploads. Your server must also be able to receive chunked uploads, which depends on the backend you choose.

What are alternatives to FilePond?

Projects often compared with FilePond include Uppy, Dropzone, FineUploader and Resumable.js. Compare them on the features you need, such as chunked uploads, framework support and image editing.

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Our verdict

FilePond suits web developers who want a polished, accessible upload widget in a site or app, especially with React, Vue, Angular, Svelte or jQuery. If you only need a plain HTML file input, or you want a ready-made upload app with no coding, pick something simpler or a different tool.

Install options & downloads