Sub-workflow
In n8n, a sub-workflow is a reusable part of a larger workflow. A group of nodes can be turned into a sub-workflow to break logic into reusable components.
On this page
Source content checked . English translation published 2026-10-27.
In business automation
A sub-workflow centralizes a recurring part of a process, such as normalizing data or creating a task. It is useful when the same logic is used by multiple workflows and needs to be fixed in one place.
Examples
These examples illustrate a possible workflow. Adapt the connections and rules to your own systems.
Business process example
Two workflows pass a phone number to a sub-workflow that returns a normalized number and a validation error if needed. Each workflow then decides how to handle the result in its own business context.
Relevant tools
- n8n
- Workflows can be called from other workflows, making it possible to build reusable components with defined inputs and outputs.
What to check
- A change to the inputs or outputs affects every user of the sub-workflow. Document the version and check the workflows that call it.