Understanding OAuth2 Grant Types

OAuth2 is one of the most widely used authorization frameworks in modern applications. However, many developers struggle to understand when to use each grant type and how the flows actually work. In this guide we break down the most common OAuth2 grant types with diagrams and practical explanations. Table of Contents Overview of OAuth2 What is a Grant Type? Grant Types Authorization Code Grant Implicit Grant Resource Owner Password Credentials Grant Client Credentials Grant Refresh Token Grant Device Authorization Grant Conclusion Overview of OAuth2 OAuth2 is designed to provide a secure way for applications to obtain access to user data without requiring the user to share their credentials. Instead, it uses access tokens issued by an Authorization Server to allow applications to request data from a Resource Server . What is a Grant Type? A grant type in OAuth2 is a method by which a client application obtains an access token. It defines the flow that an application follows to request