Free HTTP Status Code Reference
Searchable reference for all HTTP status codes with descriptions, meanings, common causes, and best practices. 100% client-side — your data stays private.
How to Use the HTTP Status Code Reference
- Search by status code number or keyword (e.g., "404", "redirect", "auth").
- Filter by category: 1xx (Informational), 2xx (Success), 3xx (Redirection), 4xx (Client Error), 5xx (Server Error).
- Click any row to view detailed information about the status code.
- Copy status code details with the copy button for quick reference.
- Toggle dark mode for comfortable reading in low-light environments.
Why Use This HTTP Status Code Reference
HTTP status codes are the backbone of web communication, but remembering all 60+ codes and their nuances is unrealistic. This reference provides instant lookup with practical explanations of when each code occurs and how to handle it.
Whether you're debugging API responses, configuring web servers, or learning HTTP fundamentals, having a searchable, filterable reference saves time and reduces errors. Each code includes common causes and best practices for handling.
Frequently Asked Questions
301 Moved Permanently tells search engines the old URL is permanently replaced. 302 Found is a temporary redirect — the original URL should be used again. Use 301 for permanent moves, 302 for temporary ones.
This is a rate-limiting response. The server is telling you to slow down. Check for a Retry-After header indicating how long to wait. Implement exponential backoff in your client code.
Not always. 5xx errors indicate the server failed to fulfill a valid request. Causes include server misconfiguration, resource exhaustion, dependency failures, or unexpected input that triggers a bug. The server should log detailed error information.
Return a helpful 404 page with navigation links, search functionality, and a clear message. Avoid soft 404s (returning 200 with "not found" content) — they confuse search engines and monitoring tools.
Use Cases
Looking Up HTTP Error Meanings
Quickly find what any HTTP status code means and understand the common causes behind error responses.
Debugging API Response Codes
Understand what different status codes mean when debugging REST API calls and troubleshooting integration issues.
Understanding 3xx Redirect Behaviors
Learn the differences between 301, 302, 307, and 308 redirects and when to use each for proper URL forwarding.
Troubleshooting 5xx Server Errors
Diagnose server-side issues by understanding what 500, 502, 503, and other 5xx errors indicate about server problems.
Learning REST API Status Conventions
Study standard HTTP status code usage patterns in RESTful APIs to follow industry best practices.