What is an HTTP status code?
An HTTP status code is a three-digit response returned by a web server to another device that has sent a request to the web server.
Many people have probably encountered the classic error 404 – page not found. This is just one example of an HTTP status code. These status codes are essentially a form of communication between the web server and the browser sending requests to it.
List of the most well-known HTTP status codes
HTTP status codes are categorised based on the first digit of the status code. For example, just like the 404 status code, other 4xx status codes will also relate to problems with displaying the requested page.
In total, there are over 70 different HTTP status codes. Below we have compiled a list of the most common ones that most people will encounter.
2xx status codes
2xx status codes indicate that the request was handled correctly without any issues.
3xx status codes
3xx status codes indicate that a redirect took place.
- Status code 301 - Moved permanently (Permanent redirect)
- Status code 302 - Found (Temporary redirect)
4xx status codes
4xx status codes indicate that an error has occurred client-side, i.e. in the browser and not on the server as with 5xx status codes.
- Status code 403 - Forbidden (You do not have permission to view the page in question)
- Status code 404 - Not found (The page does not exist)
5xx status codes
5xx status codes indicate that something went wrong on the web server.
- Status code 500 - Internal server error (The server encountered an unexpected error that prevented it from completing the request)
- Status code 502 - Bad gateway (The server received an invalid response from the "upstream" server it accessed while executing the request)
- Status code 504 - Gateway timeout (The server took too long to receive a response from the "upstream" server)
If you want to see a complete list of all HTTP status codes and their explanations, see: https://www.restapitutorial.com/httpstatuscodes.html.
Do you want to ensure that your website handles HTTP status codes correctly to avoid errors that can affect both SEO and user experience? We can help you identify and resolve status code issues so your website performs optimally. Fill in the form below or call us on 30 12 42 72 for a no-obligation chat!
