Getting Started with GraphQL in Magento 2

Getting started with GraphQL in Magento 2 can seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basics, it opens up a world of powerful and flexible APIs for your eCommerce site. GraphQL gives frontend developers more control, optimizes API requests, and fits perfectly with modern e-commerce development — especially when you’re aiming for fast, responsive storefronts. If you’re working with Magento 2 and want to take advantage of GraphQL, you’re in the right place.

Let’s walk through what GraphQL is, how Magento uses it, and how you can make your first GraphQL call.

Getting Started with GraphQL in Magento 2

What Exactly is GraphQL?

GraphQL is an open-source query language created by Facebook that lets you ask for exactly the data you want from an API. Instead of getting a fixed response from a REST endpoint, you decide which fields to include in your query. That makes it perfect for projects where performance and flexibility matter.

Key Advantages:

• Request only what you need – no extra payload
• Fewer API calls – combine data from different resources in a single request
• Structured and typed – strong schema makes it easier to understand and validate data
• Great developer tools – such as GraphiQL, Postman, and Altair

Why Magento 2 Chose GraphQL

Magento added GraphQL support in version 2.3 to meet the demands of modern front-end development. Here’s why it’s a big deal for Magento users:

• It’s used heavily by Magento PWA Studio
• It enables better performance on storefronts
• It’s easier to customize data structures for custom themes or frontend frameworks
• It allows mobile apps or third-party systems to interact with your store more efficiently

In short, if you’re building headless Magento stores or want to work with dynamic frontends, learning GraphQL is a must.

How to Make Your First GraphQL Request in Magento 2

Step 1: Magento’s Built-in Endpoint

Magento comes with GraphQL ready to go — no module installation needed (as long as you’re on Magento 2.3 or higher). The default endpoint is:

https://yourdomain.com/graphql

You’ll be sending POST requests to this URL. No GETs here.

Step 2: Use a Tool to Test Queries

There are several tools available to test GraphQL queries:

• Postman – Now supports GraphQL directly
• Altair GraphQL Client – Chrome/Firefox extension
• GraphiQL – A browser-based IDE

Step 3: Try a Sample Query

Here’s an example that fetches data for a product using its SKU:

{
  products(filter: { sku: { eq: "24-MB01" } }) {
    items {
      id
      name
      sku
      price_range {
        minimum_price {
          regular_price {
            value
            currency
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Just paste that into your GraphQL tool, and you should get a JSON response with product details.

Beginner-Friendly Tips

• Always use the POST method for GraphQL requests.
• Use extensions or plugins that allow easy testing of queries.
• Use the __schema or introspection queries to explore what’s possible.

Coming Up Next

In the next post, we’ll dive into how to use Postman to test Magento GraphQL APIs, including setting headers, adding variables, and writing complex queries with filters and pagination.

Make sure to follow SB Dev Blog — we’ve got plenty more practical tips on the way.

Questions or Feedback?

Let us know in the comments.