# Webhooks

Webhooks send Makeform submissions to your endpoint or automation platform and are free on every Makeform plan. Open your form’s **Automations** tab and choose **Webhooks**.

Makeform is a free AI form builder: describe what you want to collect and it builds the form for you, with unlimited forms and submissions on the free plan.

:::callout{type="info"}
Webhooks run after a form submission is saved. They are useful for custom workflows that are not covered by a native automation.
:::

## What Makeform sends

Makeform sends a request to your webhook URL when a form is submitted.

Webhook settings can include:

- URL
- HTTP method
- Custom headers
- Signing secret
- Payload template

The default payload includes form and submission context plus submitted field data.

## Create a webhook

1. Open your form.
2. Go to the **Automations** tab.
3. Choose **Webhooks**.
4. Enter your webhook URL.
5. Add headers or a signing secret if your endpoint requires them.
6. Customize the payload if needed.
7. Test the webhook.
8. Save the automation.

## Example payload

```json
{
  "form_id": "@form_id",
  "submission_id": "@submission_id",
  "form_name": "@form_name",
  "submitted_at": "@submitted_at",
  "data": {
    "field_name": "@field_value"
  }
}
```

## Use variables

Webhook templates can use variables from the form and submission.

Use variables when your destination expects a specific JSON shape, such as:

- `email`
- `name`
- `plan`
- `submission_id`
- `submitted_at`

## Security tips

- Use HTTPS URLs.
- Use a signing secret when the receiving service supports verification.
- Do not send secrets that respondents should not see.
- Keep webhook endpoints idempotent, because retries or duplicate processing can happen in real-world automation systems.

## Testing checklist

- Use the test webhook action before going live.
- Confirm your endpoint receives the payload.
- Check HTTP status codes.
- Submit a real test response.
- Review automation events or logs if delivery fails.

## Troubleshooting

### The webhook test fails

Check the URL, method, headers, and whether your endpoint accepts requests from Makeform.

### The destination receives malformed data

Validate the JSON payload template. Missing commas and unescaped quotes are common mistakes.

### The webhook works in test but not on submission

Confirm the automation is enabled and the form was submitted successfully.