Nginx Caching

Nginx Caching is a feature of the Nginx web server that stores frequently accessed content (like static files, API responses, or dynamic pages) in memory or on disk to serve subsequent requests faster. It reduces server load, decreases response times, and improves scalability by minimizing repeated processing of identical requests. This is implemented through proxy caching, FastCGI caching, or other caching modules within Nginx configurations.

Also known as: nginx cache, nginx proxy cache, nginx fastcgi cache, nginx caching module, nginx reverse proxy caching

Why learn Nginx Caching?

Developers should use Nginx Caching when building high-traffic websites, APIs, or applications where performance and scalability are critical, such as e-commerce platforms, content delivery networks (CDNs), or media streaming services. It's particularly valuable for caching static assets (e.g., images, CSS, JavaScript) and semi-dynamic content to offload backend servers, reduce latency, and handle more concurrent users efficiently.

Learning Resources

• docs: Nginx Caching Guide
• tutorial: DigitalOcean Nginx Caching Tutorial
• video: Nginx Caching Explained (YouTube)
• book: Nginx Cookbook by Derek DeJonghe