HTTP Status Code Reference

Every HTTP status code, searchable.

Free searchable HTTP status code reference. Look up 45+ codes by number, name or meaning, filtered by category, a handy offline cheat sheet.

Loading tool…

If the tool stays on this message, make sure JavaScript is enabled, then reload the page.

About HTTP Status Code Reference

Every request your browser makes comes back with a number. 200 means it worked, 404 means the thing isn't there, 500 means the server fell over, and behind those familiar few sits a whole vocabulary of over forty codes, each with a precise meaning that the generic ones don't capture.

This reference covers 45+ status codes with plain-language explanations, searchable by number, name, or keyword, and filterable by category: 1xx informational, 2xx success, 3xx redirection, 4xx client errors, and 5xx server errors. Once the page loads, everything works offline, it's a cheat sheet, not a service.

It's genuinely useful beyond debugging. A 301 versus 308 redirect choice affects how browsers and search engines treat your URLs; a 429 tells you to slow down before you get blocked; the difference between 401 (unauthenticated) and 403 (forbidden) tells you whether logging in again will help. And yes, 418, "I'm a teapot", is in there too, because the web has a sense of humor buried in its specs.

How to use HTTP Status Code Reference

  1. Type a code, name or keyword in the search box.
  2. Filter by category if you like.
  3. Read the plain-language meaning.

Why use this tool?

  • 45+ codes with plain-language meanings
  • Instant search and category filters
  • Works fully offline once loaded

Tips for best results

  • 4xx means the request was wrong; 5xx means the server failed, that first digit tells you whose problem it is.
  • 401 means unauthenticated (try logging in); 403 means forbidden (logging in won't help).
  • Use 301/308 for permanent URL moves and 302/307 for temporary ones, search engines treat them differently.
  • Seeing 429? Back off and retry with delays, hammering through rate limits gets you blocked longer.
  • A bare 500 means 'something broke, no details', the real answer is in the server logs, not the code.
  • Search by symptom ('redirect,' 'too many requests') when you can't remember the number.

Frequently asked questions

How many codes are covered?
Over 45, from 100 Continue to 511 Network Authentication Required.
Does it need the internet?
Only to load the page. All searching happens locally afterwards.
What is the difference between 301 and 308?
Both are permanent redirects, but 308 keeps the original request method while 301 historically allowed changing it.
What does a 500 error mean?
A generic 'the server hit an unexpected condition', deliberately vague. The code won't tell you what broke; check the application's server-side logs for the real cause.
What's the difference between 401 and 403?
401 Unauthorized means the request lacks valid authentication, logging in may fix it. 403 Forbidden means the server understood your credentials and still refuses, it's a permissions issue, not a login issue.

Related tools

URL ParserTake any URL apart, piece by piece. Regex TesterTest regular expressions with live highlighting. JSON Formatter & ValidatorBeautify, validate and inspect JSON instantly. JWT DecoderRead JWT headers and payloads instantly.