The Exhaustive List of HTTP Status Codes & What They Mean

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We’ve all been there: You’re mindlessly scrolling the web, clicking on a variety of links from Google, social media, or other sites, when suddenly — you’re prevented from continuing a search due to an HTTP error code.

This can be a frustrating experience as a user. However, HTTP status codes go beyond simply communicating an error — these codes can also signify a successful transmission, or a re-direct to a new site URL.

Here, let’s explore an exhaustive list of HTTP status codes, so when you come across one, you’ll know what it means.

What is an HTTP status code?

When trying to access a webpage, your browser sends out a request to the web server where the webpage is hosted.

Depending on whether the transmission was successful or not, the web server can return a select number of responses.

These are called HTTP status codes. They vary from informational and successful ones to re-directs and error codes.

Each status code is marked with a numerical identifier, ranging between 100 and 599. All of the codes and their meanings are maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Let’s dive into what each identifier means.

The 1xx HTTP Status Codes: Informational Responses

The 1xx response codes are informational. They indicate that your web browser has made a request to the server and is waiting for a response.

TTP Status Code 100 (Continue)

The server has received your browser’s request header and is now awaiting for the body of your request.

TTP Status Code 101 (Switching Protocol)

Your browser has sent a request for a change of protocol and the server has complied.

TTP Status Code 102 (Processing)

Your browser’s request is being processed by the server, but no response from the server is available yet.

TTP Status Code 103 (Early Hints)

The server is sending some “early hints” to your browser to preload certain resources before the server provides a final response.

The 2xx HTTP Status Codes: Successful Responses

These status codes inform the client (your web browser) that everything is processing as it should.

TTP Status Code 200 (OK)

The request is successful and the appropriate response has been provided. Depending on the HTTP method (GET, HEAD, PUT/POST or TRACE), the response will vary.

TTP Status Code 201 (Created)

Your browser’s request has succeeded and, as a result, a new resource has been created. This is the usual response to a POST and some PUT requests.

TTP Status Code 202 (Accepted)

The server has received your browser’s request, but has not yet acted upon it.

TTP Status Code 203 (Non-Authoritative Information)

The server is returning meta-information not from the origin server, because the meta-information currently available may be different. This is used for when the information is collected from a third-party or a local copy.