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Multi-index search lets you send several search queries in one HTTP request to the /multi-search endpoint. Each query targets a specific index and returns its own result list, making it ideal for search interfaces that display different content types in separate sections.

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Send a multi-search request

The /multi-search endpoint accepts an object with a queries array. Each element in the array is an independent search query with its own indexUid, search terms, and parameters. 
curl \
  -X POST 'MEILISEARCH_URL/multi-search' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary '{
    "queries": [
      {
        "indexUid": "movies",
        "q": "pooh",
        "limit": 5
      },
      {
        "indexUid": "movies",
        "q": "nemo",
        "limit": 5
      },
      {
        "indexUid": "movie_ratings",
        "q": "us"
      }
    ]
  }'
In this example, the request sends three queries: two targeting the movies index with different search terms and limits, and one targeting the movie_ratings index.

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Understand the response format

Meilisearch returns a results array with one entry per query, in the same order as the queries you sent: 
{
  "results": [
    {
      "indexUid": "movies",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 24, "title": "Winnie the Pooh" }
      ],
      "query": "pooh",
      "processingTimeMs": 0,
      "limit": 5,
      "offset": 0,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 2
    },
    {
      "indexUid": "movies",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 12, "title": "Finding Nemo" }
      ],
      "query": "nemo",
      "processingTimeMs": 0,
      "limit": 5,
      "offset": 0,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 1
    },
    {
      "indexUid": "movie_ratings",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 458723, "title": "Us", "director": "Jordan Peele" }
      ],
      "query": "us",
      "processingTimeMs": 0,
      "limit": 20,
      "offset": 0,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 1
    }
  ]
}
Each result set contains the same fields as a standard search response, including hits, query, processingTimeMs, and estimatedTotalHits.

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How queries work together

Each query in a multi-search request is fully independent. This means:
  • Different indexes: each query can target a different index
  • Different parameters: each query can have its own filter, sort, limit, offset, attributesToRetrieve, and other search parameters
  • Same index, different queries: you can send multiple queries to the same index with different search terms or parameters
  • Single HTTP request: all queries are bundled into one network call, reducing latency compared to sending individual requests
Multi-index search is best suited for interfaces that show results from different indexes in separate sections. For example, a search bar that displays matching products in one panel, blog posts in another, and user profiles in a third. If you want to merge results from multiple indexes into a single ranked list instead, use federated search.

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Next steps

Federated search

Merge results from multiple indexes into one ranked list

Multi-search overview

Learn about both modes of multi-search

API reference

Full endpoint documentation for multi-search

Different filters per index

Apply different filters to each query