Key Facts
- Category
- Developer & Web
- Input Types
- select, text
- Output Type
- html
- Sample Coverage
- 4
- API Ready
- Yes
Overview
The HTTP Status Code Reference tool provides a complete, filterable directory of HTTP response codes from 1xx to 5xx. It delivers clear semantics, typical real-world scenarios, and actionable retry advice for developers and system administrators troubleshooting API integrations or web traffic.
When to Use
- •When debugging API responses and needing to understand the exact meaning and retry logic of an unfamiliar HTTP status code.
- •When designing RESTful APIs and selecting the most appropriate standard status code for specific success or error scenarios.
- •When configuring load balancers, reverse proxies, or API gateways to handle upstream errors and client retries correctly.
How It Works
- •Select a specific category filter, such as 2xx Success, 4xx Client Error, or 5xx Server Error, to narrow down the status codes.
- •Use the search input to filter the reference table by code number, reason phrase, meaning, or specific scenario.
- •Review the generated comparison table to inspect the semantics, typical use cases, and retry recommendations for each code.
Use Cases
Examples
1. Debugging API Client Retries
Backend Engineer- Background
- A backend engineer is writing an HTTP client wrapper and needs to decide which error responses should trigger an automatic retry.
- Problem
- The engineer needs to quickly identify which 5xx status codes represent transient errors versus permanent failures.
- How to Use
- Select the '5xx Server Error' category filter and search for retry advice to identify codes like 503 Service Unavailable.
- Example Config
-
Category Filter: 5xx, Search: retry - Outcome
- The engineer configures the client to retry on 503 (Service Unavailable) and 429 (Too Many Requests) but fail immediately on 500 (Internal Server Error).
2. Selecting Redirection Codes for SEO
Web Developer- Background
- A developer is setting up URL redirects for a website migration and wants to ensure search engines index the new URLs correctly.
- Problem
- The developer needs to verify the semantic difference between temporary and permanent redirects.
- How to Use
- Select the '3xx Redirection' category filter and compare the scenarios for 301 Moved Permanently and 302 Found.
- Example Config
-
Category Filter: 3xx - Outcome
- The developer correctly implements 301 redirects for permanent page moves to preserve SEO link equity, and 307 redirects for temporary routing.
Try with Samples
developmentFAQ
What is the difference between 4xx and 5xx status codes?
4xx codes indicate client-side errors, such as bad syntax or unauthorized access, while 5xx codes indicate server-side failures where the server failed to fulfill a valid request.
How do I search for a specific status code?
Type the code number or a keyword into the search box to instantly filter the reference table.
Does the reference table provide retry advice?
Yes, the table includes specific retry recommendations indicating whether a client should immediately retry, wait, or avoid retrying the request.
Can I filter the list by category?
Yes, you can use the Category Filter dropdown to isolate 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, or 5xx status codes.
What are 3xx status codes used for?
3xx status codes indicate redirection, requiring the user agent or client to take further action to complete the request.