HTTP status codes - simply explained and fully listed

What are HTTP status codes and what do these codes tell us when they are displayed in the web browser?

Simple explanation of the HTTP status code: If you call up a website on your computer, the web server is asked "Do you have any content for me". It then responds with the HTTP status code in the form of a three-digit number. If the status code is 200, for example, this means: "Yes, I have content for you. Here you have it". The website is then displayed in the browser.

HTTP status code checker HTTPstatus.io and examples

So that you can read out the current HTTP status code, I recommend the HTTPstatus.io tool, which I would like to show you briefly here. Before that, let's take a look at the most important HTTP status codes:

• 200 Status Code: Yes, I have content for you.
• 301 Status Code: The URL you entered redirects to another URL (similar to a forwarding order from your post office when you change your home address).
• 404 status code: I can't find any content for you at this URL.

Important for website operators and SEOs: If you have a lot of 404 errors on your website, this could be detrimental to your Google visibility.

The following three URL examples generate the status codes mentioned above:

Let's briefly go through the first two URLs together:

1. We entered "ithelps.at". That was our old "domain". We recognise the following redirects (301 code):

• • "ithelps.at" redirects to "www.ithelps.at"
  • "www.ithelps.at" redirects to "www.ithelps-digital.com" and ends with the code 200

2. The URL "www.wikipedia.org/fantasiename" is invented by me. Here's what happens when you visit this address:

• • "http://www.wikipedia.org/fantasiename" redirects to "https://www.wikipedia.org/fatnasiename"
  • The website "https://en.wikipedia.org/fantasienamen" then generates a 404 error code

The following page appears after the call:

That was the basic explanation of HTTP codes. I will then show you a list of the most important codes and their meaning.

Dein Ansprechpartner:
Florian Prohaska - Co-Founder

Möchtest du mehr Kunden über das Internet gewinnen? Wir können helfen!

• SEO: Sichtbarkeit und qualifizierten Traffic durch gezielte SEO-Strategien
• Google Ads: Effektive Werbekampagnen für maximalen ROI.
• Webdesign: Professionelles Design, das deine Besucher beeindruckt.
• Webshops: Individuelle Lösungen für erfolgreiche Online-Shops.
• Content-Erstellung: Wertvolle Inhalte, die Interessenten überzeugen.

The most important HTTP status codes - overview

The HTTP status codes are divided into the following 5 groups:

1. 1xx: Information
2. 2xx: Success
3. 3xx: Redirections
4. 4xx: Client error
5. 5xx: Server error

The client usually refers to a computer/browser or similar (e.g.: I enter www.ithelps-digital.com in the Google Chrome browser).

The server usually refers to the web server (e.g: The ithelps website is stored on our web server, which means it can be displayed).

1xx: Information-orientated HTTP status codes

Status code 100 - Continue: The client can continue the current request. This is only sent by the server if the client also sends the Expect 100-continue code.

Status code 101 - swap protocol: If the client sends an upgrade header, the server confirms the change. This could be a change from HTTP to HTTPS via TLS.

Status code 102 - in progress: Here the server signals that it is processing the request but is still busy.

2xx Success-orientated HTTP status codes

Status code 200 - OK: The request is OK and the data is being sent.

Status code 202 - Accepted: The request has been accepted but is not yet being processed.

Status code 203 - Non-binding information: The meta information in the response header does not correspond to that of the server. Response fields have been changed by a proxy server, for example.

Status code 204 - No content: The request was accepted, but there is no content to display. Clients display old content in this example.

Status code 205 - Reset content: The client is instructed to reset or refresh the displayed content.

Statuscode 206 - Partial content: This status code is used for interrupted and resumed requests (e.g. a download that has been cancelled).

Status code 207 - Multi-status: The response receives an XML document containing various status codes.

3xx Redirection orientated HTTP status codes

Status code 300 - Multiple options: The server signals several redirection destinations from which the client can choose.

Status code 301 - Permanently moved: The entered URL is permanently redirected to another URL.

Status code 302 - Found and temporarily moved: The entered URL has been temporarily redirected to another URL. However, the client should continue to remember the old URL.

Status code 303 - see other: The requested resource is located on a different URL.

Status code 307 - temporary redirect: The requested resource is temporarily located on a different URL.

Status Code 308 - Permanent Redirect: The requested resource is permanently located on another URL.

4xx Status-orientated HTTP status codes

Status code 400 - Invalid request: The server cannot respond to the client's request.

Status code 401 - Unauthorised request: The authorisation to access a resource is missing.

Status code 403 - Access prohibited: The server is permanently unable to respond to the client's request.

Status code 404 - Resource not found: The requested page or resource cannot be found.

Status code 410 - Resource removed: The resource has been permanently removed and will no longer be available.

5xx Server orientated HTTP status codes

Status code 500 - Internal server error: The server has an error and cannot provide a response to the client.

Status code 502 - Bad gateway: The server is itself a gateway and does not receive a valid response from the server located after it.

These are all the important HTTP status codes and their meaning.