Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What is an HTTP status code?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**An HTTP status code** is a **numeric code in the HTTP response** that shows how the server finished processing the request. In simple terms, it is the short result of a request: success, an error, or something else. **Key point:** 404 is a normal HTTP response, not "the server crashed": 4xx means a client error, and 5xx means a server error.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**An HTTP status code** (HTTP response code) is a **numeric code in the HTTP response** that shows **how the server finished processing the request**. In simple terms: **an HTTP status code is the short result of a request: success, an error, or something else**. --- ## Why HTTP codes are needed HTTP codes are needed so a client (browser, application): - understands **whether the request succeeded** - learns **why an error occurred** - knows **what to do next** (retry the request, show an error, go to another address) Without codes, the client would have to **guess** what happened. --- ## Where the HTTP status code is located An HTTP code: - is sent **in the HTTP response** - is located **in the first line of the response** Example: ``` HTTP/1.1 200 OK ``` Here: - `200` is the status code - `OK` is the text explanation --- ## Main groups of HTTP codes HTTP codes are divided into classes by their first digit: ### 2xx, Success The request was completed successfully. - `200 OK` - everything is fine - `201 Created` - the resource was created --- ### 3xx, Redirection The client needs to go to another address. - `301 Moved Permanently` - `302 Found` --- ### 4xx, Client error A problem with the request. - `400 Bad Request` - an invalid request - `401 Unauthorized` - authorization is required - `403 Forbidden` - access is denied - `404 Not Found` - the resource was not found --- ### 5xx, Server error The server received a correct request but could not process it. - `500 Internal Server Error` - `502 Bad Gateway` - `503 Service Unavailable` --- ## An important point for an interview - **404 is a normal HTTP response**, not "the server crashed" - 4xx → an error on the client's side - 5xx → an error on the server's side --- ## Real-life example You ask: > "Give me the page" The server responds: - `200` → "Here is the page" - `404` → "No such page exists" - `500` → "I'm broken, try again later" --- ## Short answer for an interview Remember this wording: > **An HTTP status code is a numeric code in the HTTP response that shows the result of processing the request and reports whether it succeeded or an error occurred.**For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.