How to Fix `NoReverseMatch` Error in Django

2 min readJun 17, 2024

Introduction

Django is a popular framework for building web applications, but like any other tool, it comes with its own set of challenges. One common issue that developers often encounter is the NoReverseMatch error. This error occurs when Django's URL reversing mechanism can't find a match for the specified view or URL pattern name. In this article, we'll explore how to diagnose and fix this error.

Understanding `NoReverseMatch` Error

The NoReverseMatch error in Django occurs when the reverse function or the {% url %} template tag can't find a URL pattern that matches the given arguments. The most common reasons for this are:

URL pattern name is misspelled or incorrect
Required arguments are missing or incorrect
The URL configuration is not included

Common Scenarios and Solutions

1. Misspelled URL Pattern Name

A common cause of NoReverseMatch is a typo in the URL pattern name. Check the name assigned to your URL pattern and ensure it matches what you’re referencing in your code.

urls.py:
urlpatterns = [
    path('example/', views.example_view, name='example')
]

template.html:
{% url 'example' %}

2. Missing or Incorrect Arguments

Another common cause is missing or incorrect arguments in the URL pattern. If your URL pattern expects arguments, you must provide them when performing the reverse lookup.

urls.py:
urlpatterns = [
    path('example//', views.example_view, name='example-detail')
]

template.html:
{% url 'example-detail' id=object.id %}

3. URL Configuration Not Included

Sometimes, the issue is that the URL configuration file where the URL pattern is defined is not included in the project’s main URL configuration. Make sure all URL configurations are properly included.

project/urls.py:
from django.urls import include, path

urlpatterns = [
    path('app/', include('app.urls')),
]

Using the Debugging Tools

Django provides built-in tools to help you debug issues like NoReverseMatch. The Django Debug Toolbar is particularly useful for inspecting the reverse lookups and understanding where things might be going wrong.

Additionally, make liberal use of the Django shell to test reverse lookups:

python manage.py shell
from django.urls import reverse
reverse('example')

Conclusion

Handling the NoReverseMatch error in Django requires careful inspection of your URL patterns and the arguments being passed. By understanding the common causes and making use of Django's debugging tools, you can quickly identify and fix the issues. Happy coding!

How to Fix NoReverseMatch Error in Django