Payload
The meaningful data carried inside a request response message or event.
Plain English
The actual information being sent between systems.
In context
A payload follows an expected format and should be distinguished from transport metadata such as headers routing or delivery state.
Example
“The webhook payload includes the event identifier and changed account fields.”
When you'll hear this
- API integration
- event processing
- debugging
Common misunderstanding
Payload does not mean the complete network packet or every piece of request metadata.
Also known as
request payloadmessage bodyresponse body
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-27
