Understanding HTTP Error Codes and What They Mean

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) error codes are response messages sent by servers to clients indicating the status of the requested resource. They are three-digit codes that help to identify the nature of the error and provide information about how to resolve it. Understanding HTTP error codes is crucial to diagnosing and fixing issues when browsing the internet or building web applications.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most common HTTP error codes and what they mean.

1. 1xx Informational

1xx codes are informational messages that indicate the server has received the request and is continuing to process it. These codes are not an error, but they inform the client that the server is working on the request. Examples include 100 Continue and 101 Switching Protocols.

1. 2xx Success

2xx codes indicate that the request was successful. These codes are returned when the requested resource is found, and the server has successfully completed the request. Examples include 200 OK, which indicates that the request was successful, and 204 No Content, which indicates that the request was successful, but there is no response body.

1. 3xx Redirection

3xx codes indicate that the requested resource has moved, and the client needs to take additional action to complete the request. Examples include 301 Moved Permanently, which indicates that the requested resource has moved permanently to a new location, and 302 Found, which indicates that the requested resource has temporarily moved to a new location.

1. 4xx Client Error

4xx codes indicate that there was an error with the client’s request. These codes are typically caused by the client sending an incorrect or malformed request. Examples include 400 Bad Request, which indicates that the client’s request was malformed or invalid, and 404 Not Found, which indicates that the requested resource was not found on the server.

1. 5xx Server Error

5xx codes indicate that there was an error on the server while processing the client’s request. These codes are typically caused by an internal server error or a server overload. Examples include 500 Internal Server Error, which indicates that there was an error on the server while processing the request, and 503 Service Unavailable, which indicates that the server is currently unavailable and cannot process the request.

Understanding HTTP error codes is essential for diagnosing and fixing issues with web applications or browsing the internet. By knowing what these codes mean, you can quickly identify the source of the problem and take appropriate action to resolve it.