Understanding HTTP Status Codes: Complete Reference Guide

The definitive reference for understanding http status codes.

By RiseTop Team · May 2026 · 12 min read

1xx Informational

CodeNameMeaning
100ContinueServer received headers, client should continue
101Switching ProtocolsServer is switching protocols per Upgrade header
102ProcessingServer received and is processing the request

2xx Success

CodeNameMeaning
200OKRequest succeeded. Standard response for GET, POST
201CreatedResource successfully created (POST/PUT)
204No ContentSuccess but no body (DELETE, PUT)
206Partial ContentPartial resource returned (range requests)

3xx Redirection

CodeNameMeaning
301Moved PermanentlyResource permanently moved. Update bookmarks.
302FoundTemporary redirect. Original URL still valid.
304Not ModifiedCached version is still valid
307Temporary RedirectLike 302 but preserves method (POST stays POST)
308Permanent RedirectLike 301 but preserves method

4xx Client Errors

CodeNameMeaning
400Bad RequestMalformed request syntax
401UnauthorizedAuthentication required
403ForbiddenAuthenticated but not authorized
404Not FoundResource doesn't exist
405Method Not AllowedHTTP method not supported for this URL
408Request TimeoutServer timed out waiting for request
409ConflictRequest conflicts with current state
410GoneResource permanently deleted
413Payload Too LargeRequest body exceeds server limit
429Too Many RequestsRate limit exceeded

5xx Server Errors

CodeNameMeaning
500Internal Server ErrorGeneric server error
502Bad GatewayInvalid response from upstream server
503Service UnavailableServer overloaded or maintenance
504Gateway TimeoutUpstream server didn't respond in time

Related Tools

Browse All Tools →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 301 and 302 redirects? +
301 is permanent (tells search engines to update their index), 302 is temporary (keeps the original URL in the index). Use 301 for changed URLs and 302 for temporary maintenance redirects.
How do I fix 404 errors? +
Find broken links using tools like RiseTop's SEO Audit Tool, then either fix the link, create a redirect (301) to the correct page, or create a helpful 404 page that guides users.
What causes 500 errors? +
500 errors are server-side issues: unhandled exceptions, database connection failures, configuration errors, or memory limits. Check server logs for the specific error.