---
title: "What is the difference between an embedded document and referencing documents in MongoDB?"  
description: "What is the difference between an embedded document and referencing documents in MongoDB?"  
author: "Anubhav Sharma"  
published: 2026-08-03  
updated: 2026-08-03  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117001/what-is-the-difference-between-an-embedded-document-and-referencing-documents-in-mongodb  
category: "database"  
tags: ["database"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is the difference between an embedded document and referencing documents in MongoDB?

**What is the difference between an embedded document and referencing documents in MongoDB? When would you use each approach?**


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117001/what-is-the-difference-between-an-embedded-document-and-referencing-documents-in-mongodb

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