> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/build/flow-logic/understand-execution-order.md).

# Understand execution order

How n8n decides the node execution order in multi-branch workflows.

Execution order is part of your workflow's [flow logic](/build/flow-logic.md), and matters most in workflows that [split into multiple branches](/build/flow-logic/split-with-conditionals.md).

n8n's node execution order depends on the version of n8n you're using:

* For workflows created before n8n 1.0: n8n executes the first node of each branch, then the second node of each branch, and so on.
* For workflows created from n8n 1.0: executes each branch in turn, completing one branch before starting another. n8n orders the branches based on their position on the canvas[^1], from topmost to bottommost. If two branches are at the same height, the leftmost branch executes first.

You can change the execution order in your [workflow settings](/build/manage-workflows/configure-workflow-settings.md).

## Related resources

* [Flow logic](/build/flow-logic.md)
* [Split with conditionals](/build/flow-logic/split-with-conditionals.md)
* [Merge data](/build/flow-logic/merge-data.md)
* [Loop](/build/flow-logic/loop.md)
* [Wait](/build/flow-logic/wait.md)
* [Break workflows into smaller parts](/build/flow-logic/break-workflows-into-smaller-parts.md)
* [Convert to sub-workflows](/build/flow-logic/convert-to-sub-workflows.md)
* [Handle errors gracefully](/build/flow-logic/handle-errors-gracefully.md)

[^1]: The canvas is the main interface for building workflows in n8n's editor UI. You use the canvas to add and connect nodes to compose workflows.