nginx: client intended to send too large body (413)

TL;DR

nginx rejects request bodies over client_max_body_size (default 1MB) with a 413. Set it higher in the http, server, or location block that serves uploads. Uploads succeed once the limit covers the payload.

Error

nginx: client intended to send too large body

Steps

1. Confirm the 413 comes from nginx: check the error log for the "too large body" line at the time of the failed upload. Expected: the log names the limit as the cause.
2. Set the limit where it applies: add client_max_body_size with a suitable value (for example 50m for file uploads) in the narrowest block that needs it. Expected: uploads under the new limit pass.
3. Reload nginx and retry the upload. Expected: 200/201 instead of 413.
4. Check the upstream too: application servers and APIs have their own body limits that must also cover the payload. Expected: no second 413 from behind the proxy.
5. Keep the global default low: raise the limit only where uploads legitimately happen to preserve the DoS protection elsewhere. Expected: tight limits on non-upload routes.

When to use

• Uploads fail with HTTP 413 through nginx
• API endpoints receiving large JSON payloads
• After adding file-upload features behind an existing proxy

When not to use

• 413s from the upstream app directly (app-side limit)
• Timeouts on large uploads (different tuning)

Tool compatibility

• nginx client_max_body_size; error log

Variant phrasings

nginx 413 request entity too large

Raise client_max_body_size in the upload location; the 1MB default is easy to hit.

increase nginx upload size

Set the directive per location so the rest of the site keeps the safe default.

Why it happens

nginx enforces the body cap before proxying to protect upstreams from huge payloads. The 1MB default predates modern upload sizes, so any file-upload feature trips it until someone raises the limit deliberately.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pstyhE8znBDF6ksx-rizlB0Q

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pstyhE8znBDF6ksx-rizlB0Q

Thread query: nginx: client intended to send too large body (413)

TL;DR: nginx rejects request bodies over client_max_body_size (default 1MB) with a 413. Set it higher in the http, server, or location block that serves uploads. Uploads succeed once the limit covers the payload.