# Category Queries

You can fetch categories in your templates or PHP code using **category queries**.

::: code
```twig
{# Create a new category query #}
{% set myCategoryQuery = craft.categories() %}
```
```php
// Create a new category query
$myCategoryQuery = \craft\elements\Category::find();
```
:::

Once you’ve created a category query, you can set [parameters](#parameters) on it to narrow down the results, and then [execute it](README.md#executing-element-queries) by calling `.all()`. An array of [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) objects will be returned.

::: tip
See [Introduction to Element Queries](README.md) to learn about how element queries work.
:::

## Example

We can display a navigation for all the categories in a category group called “Topics” by doing the following:

1. Create a category query with `craft.categories()`.
2. Set the [group](#group) parameter on it.
3. Fetch the categories with `.all()`.
4. Loop through the categories using a [nav](../tags/nav.md) tag to create the navigation HTML.

```twig
{# Create a category query with the 'group' parameter #}
{% set myCategoryQuery = craft.categories()
    .group('topics') %}

{# Fetch the categories #}
{% set categories = myCategoryQuery.all() %}

{# Display the navigation #}
<ul>
    {% nav category in categories %}
        <li>
            <a href="{{ category.url }}">{{ category.title }}</a>
            {% ifchildren %}
                <ul>
                    {% children %}
                </ul>
            {% endifchildren %}
        </li>
    {% endnav %}
</ul>
```

## Parameters

Category queries support the following parameters:

<!-- BEGIN PARAMS -->

### `ancestorDist`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are up to a certain distance away from the category specified by [ancestorOf](#ancestorof).





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories above this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .ancestorOf(myCategory)
    .ancestorDist(3)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories above this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->ancestorOf($myCategory)
    ->ancestorDist(3)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `ancestorOf`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are ancestors of another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | above the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | above the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories above this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .ancestorOf(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories above this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->ancestorOf($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::



::: tip
This can be combined with [ancestorDist](#ancestordist) if you want to limit how far away the ancestor categories can be.
:::


### `anyStatus`

Clears out the [status](#status) and [enabledForSite](#enabledforsite) parameters.





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch all categories, regardless of status #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .anyStatus()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch all categories, regardless of status
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->anyStatus()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `asArray`

Causes the query to return matching categories as arrays of data, rather than [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) objects.





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories as arrays #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .asArray()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories as arrays
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->asArray()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `dateCreated`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ creation dates.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'>= 2018-04-01'` | that were created on or after 2018-04-01.
| `'< 2018-05-01'` | that were created before 2018-05-01
| `['and', '>= 2018-04-04', '< 2018-05-01']` | that were created between 2018-04-01 and 2018-05-01.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories created last month #}
{% set start = date('first day of last month')|atom %}
{% set end = date('first day of this month')|atom %}

{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .dateCreated(['and', ">= #{start}", "< #{end}"])
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories created last month
$start = new \DateTime('first day of next month')->format(\DateTime::ATOM);
$end = new \DateTime('first day of this month')->format(\DateTime::ATOM);

$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->dateCreated(['and', ">= {$start}", "< {$end}"])
    ->all();
```
:::


### `dateUpdated`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ last-updated dates.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'>= 2018-04-01'` | that were updated on or after 2018-04-01.
| `'< 2018-05-01'` | that were updated before 2018-05-01
| `['and', '>= 2018-04-04', '< 2018-05-01']` | that were updated between 2018-04-01 and 2018-05-01.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories updated in the last week #}
{% set lastWeek = date('1 week ago')|atom %}

{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .dateUpdated(">= #{lastWeek}")
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories updated in the last week
$lastWeek = new \DateTime('1 week ago')->format(\DateTime::ATOM);

$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->dateUpdated(">= {$lastWeek}")
    ->all();
```
:::


### `descendantDist`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are up to a certain distance away from the category specified by [descendantOf](#descendantof).





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories below this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .descendantOf(myCategory)
    .descendantDist(3)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories below this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->descendantOf($myCategory)
    ->descendantDist(3)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `descendantOf`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are descendants of another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | below the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | below the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories below this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .descendantOf(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories below this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->descendantOf($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::



::: tip
This can be combined with [descendantDist](#descendantdist) if you want to limit how far away the descendant categories can be.
:::


### `enabledForSite`

Narrows the query results based on whether the categories are enabled in the site they’re being queried in, per the [site](#site) parameter.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `true` _(default)_ | that are enabled in the site.
| `false` | whether they are enabled or not in the site.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch all categories, including ones disabled for this site #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .enabledForSite(false)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch all categories, including ones disabled for this site
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->enabledForSite(false)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `fixedOrder`

Causes the query results to be returned in the order specified by [id](#id).





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories in a specific order #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .id([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
    .fixedOrder()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories in a specific order
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->id([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
    ->fixedOrder()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `group`

Narrows the query results based on the category groups the categories belong to.

Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'foo'` | in a group with a handle of `foo`.
| `'not foo'` | not in a group with a handle of `foo`.
| `['foo', 'bar']` | in a group with a handle of `foo` or `bar`.
| `['not', 'foo', 'bar']` | not in a group with a handle of `foo` or `bar`.
| a [CategoryGroup](api:craft\models\CategoryGroup) object | in a group represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories in the Foo group #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .group('foo')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories in the Foo group
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->group('foo')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `groupId`

Narrows the query results based on the category groups the categories belong to, per the groups’ IDs.

Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | in a group with an ID of 1.
| `'not 1'` | not in a group with an ID of 1.
| `[1, 2]` | in a group with an ID of 1 or 2.
| `['not', 1, 2]` | not in a group with an ID of 1 or 2.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories in the group with an ID of 1 #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .groupId(1)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories in the group with an ID of 1
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->groupId(1)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `hasDescendants`

Narrows the query results based on whether the categories have any descendants.



(This has the opposite effect of calling [leaves](#leaves).)



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories that have descendants #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .hasDescendants()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories that have descendants
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->hasDescendants()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `id`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ IDs.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | with an ID of 1.
| `'not 1'` | not with an ID of 1.
| `[1, 2]` | with an ID of 1 or 2.
| `['not', 1, 2]` | not with an ID of 1 or 2.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch the category by its ID #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .id(1)
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Fetch the category by its ID
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->id(1)
    ->one();
```
:::



::: tip
This can be combined with [fixedOrder](#fixedorder) if you want the results to be returned in a specific order.
:::


### `inReverse`

Causes the query results to be returned in reverse order.





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories in reverse #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .inReverse()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories in reverse
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->inReverse()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `leaves`

Narrows the query results based on whether the categories are “leaves” (categories with no descendants).



(This has the opposite effect of calling [hasDescendants](#hasdescendants).)



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories that have no descendants #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .leaves()
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories that have no descendants
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->leaves()
    ->all();
```
:::


### `level`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ level within the structure.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | with a level of 1.
| `'not 1'` | not with a level of 1.
| `'>= 3'` | with a level greater than or equal to 3.
| `[1, 2]` | with a level of 1 or 2
| `['not', 1, 2]` | not with level of 1 or 2.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories positioned at level 3 or above #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .level('>= 3')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories positioned at level 3 or above
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->level('>= 3')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `limit`

Determines the number of categories that should be returned.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch up to 10 categories  #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .limit(10)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch up to 10 categories
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->limit(10)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `nextSiblingOf`

Narrows the query results to only the category that comes immediately after another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches the category…
| - | -
| `1` | after the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | after the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch the next category #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .nextSiblingOf(myCategory)
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Fetch the next category
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->nextSiblingOf($myCategory)
    ->one();
```
:::


### `offset`

Determines how many categories should be skipped in the results.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch all categories except for the first 3 #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .offset(3)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch all categories except for the first 3
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->offset(3)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `orderBy`

Determines the order that the categories should be returned in.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch all categories in order of date created #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .orderBy('elements.dateCreated asc')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch all categories in order of date created
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->orderBy('elements.dateCreated asc')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `positionedAfter`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are positioned after another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | after the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | after the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories after this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .positionedAfter(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories after this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->positionedAfter($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `positionedBefore`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are positioned before another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | before the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | before the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories before this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .positionedBefore(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories before this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->positionedBefore($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `prevSiblingOf`

Narrows the query results to only the category that comes immediately before another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches the category…
| - | -
| `1` | before the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | before the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch the previous category #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .prevSiblingOf(myCategory)
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Fetch the previous category
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->prevSiblingOf($myCategory)
    ->one();
```
:::


### `relatedTo`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are related to certain other elements.



See [Relations](https://docs.craftcms.com/v3/relations.html) for a full explanation of how to work with this parameter.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch all categories that are related to myCategory #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .relatedTo(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch all categories that are related to $myCategory
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->relatedTo($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `search`

Narrows the query results to only categories that match a search query.



See [Searching](https://docs.craftcms.com/v3/searching.html) for a full explanation of how to work with this parameter.



::: code
```twig
{# Get the search query from the 'q' query string param #}
{% set searchQuery = craft.request.getQueryParam('q') %}

{# Fetch all categories that match the search query #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .search(searchQuery)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Get the search query from the 'q' query string param
$searchQuery = \Craft::$app->request->getQueryParam('q');

// Fetch all categories that match the search query
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->search($searchQuery)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `siblingOf`

Narrows the query results to only categories that are siblings of another category.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `1` | beside the category with an ID of 1.
| a [Category](api:craft\elements\Category) object | beside the category represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories beside this one #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .siblingOf(myCategory)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories beside this one
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->siblingOf($myCategory)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `site`

Determines which site the categories should be queried in.



The current site will be used by default.

Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'foo'` | from the site with a handle of `foo`.
| a `\craft\elements\db\Site` object | from the site represented by the object.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories from the Foo site #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .site('foo')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories from the Foo site
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->site('foo')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `siteId`

Determines which site the categories should be queried in, per the site’s ID.



The current site will be used by default.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories from the site with an ID of 1 #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .siteId(1)
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories from the site with an ID of 1
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->siteId(1)
    ->all();
```
:::


### `slug`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ slugs.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'foo'` | with a slug of `foo`.
| `'foo*'` | with a slug that begins with `foo`.
| `'*foo'` | with a slug that ends with `foo`.
| `'*foo*'` | with a slug that contains `foo`.
| `'not *foo*'` | with a slug that doesn’t contain `foo`.
| `['*foo*', '*bar*'` | with a slug that contains `foo` or `bar`.
| `['not', '*foo*', '*bar*']` | with a slug that doesn’t contain `foo` or `bar`.



::: code
```twig
{# Get the requested category slug from the URL #}
{% set requestedSlug = craft.app.request.getSegment(3) %}

{# Fetch the category with that slug #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .slug(requestedSlug|literal)
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Get the requested category slug from the URL
$requestedSlug = \Craft::$app->request->getSegment(3);

// Fetch the category with that slug
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->slug(\craft\helpers\Db::escapeParam($requestedSlug))
    ->one();
```
:::


### `status`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ statuses.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'enabled'`  _(default)_ | that are enabled.
| `'disabled'` | that are disabled.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch disabled categories #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .status('disabled')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch disabled categories
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->status('disabled')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `title`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ titles.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'Foo'` | with a title of `Foo`.
| `'Foo*'` | with a title that begins with `Foo`.
| `'*Foo'` | with a title that ends with `Foo`.
| `'*Foo*'` | with a title that contains `Foo`.
| `'not *Foo*'` | with a title that doesn’t contain `Foo`.
| `['*Foo*', '*Bar*'` | with a title that contains `Foo` or `Bar`.
| `['not', '*Foo*', '*Bar*']` | with a title that doesn’t contain `Foo` or `Bar`.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories with a title that contains "Foo" #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .title('*Foo*')
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories with a title that contains "Foo"
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->title('*Foo*')
    ->all();
```
:::


### `uid`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ UIDs.





::: code
```twig
{# Fetch the category by its UID #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .uid('xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx')
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Fetch the category by its UID
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->uid('xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx')
    ->one();
```
:::


### `uri`

Narrows the query results based on the categories’ URIs.



Possible values include:

| Value | Fetches categories…
| - | -
| `'foo'` | with a URI of `foo`.
| `'foo*'` | with a URI that begins with `foo`.
| `'*foo'` | with a URI that ends with `foo`.
| `'*foo*'` | with a URI that contains `foo`.
| `'not *foo*'` | with a URI that doesn’t contain `foo`.
| `['*foo*', '*bar*'` | with a URI that contains `foo` or `bar`.
| `['not', '*foo*', '*bar*']` | with a URI that doesn’t contain `foo` or `bar`.



::: code
```twig
{# Get the requested URI #}
{% set requestedUri = craft.app.request.getPathInfo() %}

{# Fetch the category with that URI #}
{% set category = craft.categories()
    .uri(requestedUri|literal)
    .one() %}
```

```php
// Get the requested URI
$requestedUri = \Craft::$app->request->getPathInfo();

// Fetch the category with that URI
$category = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->uri(\craft\helpers\Db::escapeParam($requestedUri))
    ->one();
```
:::


### `with`

Causes the query to return matching categories eager-loaded with related elements.



See [Eager-Loading Elements](https://docs.craftcms.com/v3/dev/eager-loading-elements.html) for a full explanation of how to work with this parameter.



::: code
```twig
{# Fetch categories eager-loaded with the "Related" field’s relations #}
{% set categories = craft.categories()
    .with(['related'])
    .all() %}
```

```php
// Fetch categories eager-loaded with the "Related" field’s relations
$categories = \craft\elements\Category::find()
    ->with(['related'])
    ->all();
```
:::



<!-- END PARAMS -->
