Next.js Integration: usePathname Hook Documentation

The usePathname hook returns the current Next.js pathname with the locale segment stripped. It is useful for building locale-aware navigation — for example, determining which nav item is active — without having to manually remove the locale prefix.

Importing usePathname in Next.js

import { usePathname } from "next-intlayer";

Overview

usePathname wraps Next.js's built-in usePathname() from next/navigation, appends any search params, and strips the locale prefix via getPathWithoutLocale. It re-renders on every client-side navigation. The hook is available only in Client Components (requires "use client").

Usage

"use client";

import type { FC } from "react";
import { usePathname } from "next-intlayer";

type NavItemProps = {
  href: string;
  label: string;
};

const NavItem: FC<NavItemProps> = ({ href, label }) => {
  const pathname = usePathname();
  const isActive = pathname === href;

  return (
    <a href={href} aria-current={isActive ? "page" : undefined}>
      {label}
    </a>
  );
};

export default NavItem;

Return Value

Behavior

• Locale stripping: Removes the leading locale segment (e.g. /en/dashboard → /dashboard).
• Search param stripping: Also strips a ?locale=... query parameter when search-params routing mode is used.
• Reactive: Updates on every client-side navigation via Next.js App Router.
• SSR-safe: Returns the server-side pathname during the first render, then syncs search params on the client.

Comparison with useLocale

useLocale from next-intlayer already exposes pathWithoutLocale as part of its return value. Use usePathname when you only need the path and do not need locale switching functionality.

// When you need both locale state and the path:
import { useLocale } from "next-intlayer";
const { locale, pathWithoutLocale } = useLocale();

// When you only need the path:
import { usePathname } from "next-intlayer";
const pathname = usePathname();

Example

"use client";

import type { FC } from "react";
import { usePathname } from "next-intlayer";

const links = [
  { href: "/dashboard", label: "Dashboard" },
  { href: "/settings", label: "Settings" },
];

const Sidebar: FC = () => {
  const pathname = usePathname();

  return (
    <nav>
      {links.map(({ href, label }) => (
        <a
          key={href}
          href={href}
          style={{ fontWeight: pathname === href ? "bold" : "normal" }}
        >
          {label}
        </a>
      ))}
    </nav>
  );
};

export default Sidebar;

Related

• useLocale — current locale + locale switcher (also exposes pathWithoutLocale)
• getPathWithoutLocale — the underlying utility used by this hook