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What Is the HTTP Status Codes Reference?

Browse all HTTP status codes with descriptions, use cases, and examples. Quickly find what any status code means and when to use it.

Why Use This Tool?

HTTP status codes are the language servers use to communicate with clients. This reference covers every standard code from 100 to 599, organized by category with practical descriptions and common scenarios.

How to Use This HTTP Status Codes

  1. Browse by category — Status codes are organized by their first digit: 1xx (Informational), 2xx (Success), 3xx (Redirection), 4xx (Client Error), and 5xx (Server Error).
  2. Search for a specific code — Type a status code number or keyword to find its meaning instantly. For example, search '404' or 'not found.'
  3. Read the description — Each code includes its official name, a plain-English explanation, and common scenarios where you'll encounter it.
  4. Use the reference in debugging — When your API returns an unexpected code or your browser shows an error, look it up here to understand what went wrong and how to fix it.

Tips and Best Practices

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?
301 is a permanent redirect — search engines transfer ranking signals to the new URL. 302 is temporary — search engines keep the original URL indexed. Use 301 for URL changes and 302 for temporary situations like maintenance.
What does a 403 error mean?
403 Forbidden means the server understood the request but refuses to fulfill it. The client doesn't have permission to access the resource, even with authentication.
When should I use 404 vs 410?
Use 404 (Not Found) when a resource might exist in the future or the URL was never valid. Use 410 (Gone) when the resource existed but has been permanently removed and won't return.
What is the most common HTTP status code?+
200 OK is the most common status code — it means the request was successful and the server is returning the requested content. For web browsing, most page loads return 200.
What is the difference between 401 and 403?+
401 Unauthorized means the client hasn't provided valid authentication credentials — typically a missing or expired token. 403 Forbidden means the client is authenticated but doesn't have permission to access the resource. The fix for 401 is to log in; the fix for 403 is to request access.
What does a 503 error mean?+
503 Service Unavailable means the server is temporarily unable to handle the request — usually due to maintenance, overload, or a crashed service. Unlike 500 (Internal Server Error), 503 implies the problem is temporary and the client should retry later.

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Related Article HTTP Status Codes: The Complete Reference Guide →

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