The HTTP Status Code Reference is a searchable, interactive guide to every HTTP status code. Browse codes by category, search by number or description, and get detailed explanations with real-world examples — perfect for debugging API responses and building robust error handling.
Step-by-Step
Browse by category — Click on category tabs (1xx Informational, 2xx Success, 3xx Redirection, 4xx Client Error, 5xx Server Error) to filter codes.
Search — Type a status code number like 404 or a keyword like "unauthorized" in the search bar to find matching codes instantly.
View details — Click any status code to expand its card and see the full description, common causes, and usage examples.
Copy the code — Click to copy the status code and its name for use in your documentation or error handling code.
Check related codes — Each code card shows related status codes to help you choose the most appropriate response.
Features
Complete Reference — Covers all standard HTTP status codes from RFC 7231, RFC 7538, RFC 6585, and WebDAV extensions.
Category Grouping — Codes are organized into five standard categories: Informational (1xx), Success (2xx), Redirection (3xx), Client Error (4xx), and Server Error (5xx).
Instant Search — Search by code number, name, or description keyword. Results are filtered in real time as you type.
Detailed Descriptions — Each code includes a plain-English explanation, common scenarios where it's returned, and best practices for handling it.
Usage Examples — See code snippets showing how to return or handle each status code in Express, Fastify, and fetch-based clients.
Color-Coded Categories — Visual color coding makes it easy to distinguish between success, redirect, and error responses at a glance.
Common Use Cases
API Development — Choose the most appropriate status code for your API endpoints. Know when to use 201 Created vs. 200 OK, or 401 Unauthorized vs. 403 Forbidden.
Debugging — Quickly look up unfamiliar status codes (like 429 Too Many Requests or 503 Service Unavailable) when debugging API integrations.
Error Handling — Build comprehensive error handling by understanding the full range of possible HTTP responses and their meanings.
Documentation — Reference correct status codes when writing API documentation or OpenAPI specifications.
Learning — Web development students can use this tool to understand the HTTP protocol and RESTful API conventions.
Why Use This Tool
HTTP status codes are a fundamental part of web development, yet many developers only know a handful. Using the wrong status code leads to poor API design, confusing error messages, and broken client integrations. This interactive reference makes it easy to find the right code for any situation, with practical examples that go beyond the dry RFC specifications. Bookmark this tool and use it every time you build or consume an API.