Complete Guide to HTTP Status Codes

Whenever your browser sends a request to a web server, the server responds with a specific message called an HTTP status code.
These codes tell you whether the request was successful, redirected, failed, or denied. They are essential for developers, SEO experts, and website administrators .

How HTTP Status Codes Work​

When a user visits a webpage:

1. The browser sends a request to the web server .
2. The server processes the request.
3. The server sends back a status code along with the response headers and content.

Each status code helps identify what happened during that process - success , error , or redirection .

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Categories of HTTP Status Codes​

Here’s the full list of common HTTP status code classes:

1xx - Informational Responses​

These mean the request has been received and is being processed.
Examples:

• 100 Continue - Request received, continue process.
• 101 Switching Protocols - The client asked to switch protocols, and the server agreed.

2xx - Success Codes​

Everything worked as expected
Examples:

• 200 OK - The request was successful.
• 201 Created - A new resource was created.
• 204 No Content - The request was successful but no content is returned.

3xx - Redirection Codes​

These indicate that further action is needed to complete the request
Examples:

• 301 Moved Permanently - The resource has a new URL.
• 302 Found - Temporary redirect.
• 304 Not Modified - Cached version can be used.

4xx - Client Error Codes​

These occur when there’s a problem with the request from the user side
Examples:

• 400 Bad Request - The server can’t understand the request.
• 401 Unauthorized - Authentication is required.
• 403 Forbidden - Access denied.
• 404 Not Found - The requested page doesn’t exist.

5xx - Server Error Codes​

These mean the server failed to complete a valid request
Examples:

• 500 Internal Server Error - Generic server problem.
• 502 Bad Gateway - Invalid response from an upstream server.
• 503 Service Unavailable - Server is down or overloaded.
• 504 Gateway Timeout - Server took too long to respond.

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Why HTTP Status Codes Matter​

• SEO Insight: Helps identify broken pages (404) or redirection loops (301/302).
• Troubleshooting: Developers use them to debug site and API errors.
• User Experience: Ensures visitors reach the correct page or are redirected properly.

Final Thoughts​

Understanding HTTP status codes is essential for maintaining a healthy website .
Whether you’re fixing errors, improving SEO, or developing APIs, knowing these codes helps you quickly identify and resolve issues like a pro .