Ever encountered a broken link or experienced frustratingly slow web pages? These issues, often invisible, can be revealed by HTTP status codes, the hidden language of the internet. Understanding these codes is like having a secret weapon for your website, as they offer vital clues for optimizing site performance and keeping your website users happy.
This article offers a comprehensive understanding of what HTTP status codes are, why they are important, and how you can check and monitor them easily.
What is the HTTP status code?
HTTP status codes are numeric indicators consisting of three digits generated by a server that convey the outcome of a browser or a search engine bot’s request to a server during an HTTP transaction. These codes form part of the response message sent by the server to communicate whether the request was successful or encountered an error.
To put it simply, whenever you visit a website, a request is sent by your browser to the server of the site. Consequently, the server provides a response in the form of an HTTP status code. You can also think of it as a conversation between them. Each code serves as a message, conveying whether everything is functioning properly or if an issue exists.
The initial digit in each status code falls within the range of one to five, denoting the category to which the code belongs. The next two digits provide specific information within that particular category.
As an example, let’s consider the 404 code, one of the most common types of status codes. The first digit, i.e. 4 is indicative of a client error, while the 404 as a whole denotes that the server was unable to locate the requested resource. In a later section, we have provided a detailed breakdown of the various categories of HTTP status codes.
What does it mean by checking the HTTP status code of a URL?
Checking the HTTP status code of a URL refers to checking the numeric code returned by the server in response to a request as described in the previous section. This code indicates whether the request was successful (2xx), encountered an error (4xx or 5xx), or requires redirection (3xx). Common codes include 200 for success, 404 for not found, and 500 for internal server errors.
Monitoring these codes can enable assessment of the health and accessibility aspects of a website. This implies that by checking the HTTP status code of a URL, you can quickly assess whether the requested webpage is available, has moved, or if there may be an issue that needs attention. Web developers, website administrators, or automated systems often use this information for the purposes of troubleshooting, monitoring website health, and overall making sure that users have a positive user experience.
Types of HTTP status codes and their meanings
HTTP status codes can be categorized into five groups; informational responses, successful responses, redirects, client errors, and server errors. Each group includes varying responses and here is a brief description for each.
HTTP Status Code Type |
Description |
Examples |
Informational Response (1xx) |
Informational responses indicate that the server has received and understood the request on a provisional basis while processing continues. These responses serve as a prompt for the client to await a final response.
These responses are informational, temporary, and invisible to the client. |
100 Continue- The server received the initial request, and the client should continue.
101 Switching Protocols- A response to an Upgrade header field request indicating the protocol switch. 102 Processing- Indicates the server is processing the request, but no response is available. 103 Early Hints- Allows preloading resources while the server prepares a response. |
Successful Responses (2xx) |
Successful responses confirm that the server has successfully processed the client’s request. | 200 OK- The server processed the request successfully, normally providing the requested page.
201 Created- Success after creating a new resource 204 No Content- The server sends a valid reply with header information only, without a message body. 207 Multi-Status– Provides statuses of multiple resources. 226 IM Used- Server completed a GET request with instance manipulation results. |
Redirection responses (3xx) |
Redirection responses indicate that further action is needed to fulfill the request, often including redirection. | 300 Multiple Choice– More than one possible response; the user should choose.
301 Moved Permanently– Resource has been permanently relocated to a new URL. 302 Found– Resource temporarily moved to a new URL. 303 See Other- User redirected to the requested resource with a GET request at another URL. 304 Not Modified– Used for caching purposes; the response has not been modified. 307 Temporary Redirect– Resource temporarily moved to a different URL. 308 Permanent Redirect– Resource permanently moved to a different URL. |
Client error responses (4xx) |
Client error responses highlight likely errors in the request preventing server processing. | 400 Bad Request- The server cannot process the request due to a client error.
401 authorized- User lacks valid authentication credentials. 402 Payment Required– Reserved for future use; rarely used. 403 Forbidden– The client lacks access rights to the content. 404 Not Found- The server cannot find the requested resource. 409 Conflict– The server cannot fulfill the request due to a conflict with the resource. 412 Precondition Failed– Client-specified preconditions in the header fields are not met. 416 Range Not Satisfiable– The server cannot fulfill the value indicated in the request’s Range header field. 422 Unprocessable Entity– The client sends a correct request, but the server cannot process it due to semantic errors. 431 Request Header Fields Too Large-Server cannot process the request due to overly large header fields. 451 Unavailable for Legal Reasons– The user requests a resource the server cannot legally provide. |
Server error responses (5xx) |
Server error responses convey that the server is aware of an error or is incapable of performing the request. | 500 Internal Server Error- The server encounters an unexpected error and cannot complete the request.
501 Not implemented- The server is unable to complete or does not identify the requests method. 502 Bad Gateway- The server acts as a gateway and gets an invalid response from an inbound host. 505 HTTP Version Not Supported- The server does not support the HTTP version in the request. 507 Insufficient Storage- The server does not have enough storage to process the request successfully. 511 Network Authentication Required- The client must be authenticated to access the network. The error should include a link for the user to submit credentials. |
Why Do You Need HTTP Status Codes Checked?
Monitoring your website’s HTTP status codes is akin to having a secret weapon for finding and fixing problems before they become major headaches. In a matter of mere seconds, you can identify invalid pages, server delays, and bad requests. In other words, you can identify the silent roadblocks hindering your climb up the search rankings. By addressing these issues proactively, you will not only be able to increase your website’s reliability and value but also give your SEO and marketing efforts a powerful boost.
Remember, bad requests equal bad SEO, and ignoring them is like throwing away money wastefully. Do not wait for your website to disappear from search results and for traffic to trickle down to a halt eventually. Take control, and check those HTTP codes monthly to watch your website thrive.
Why is the HTTP status code important for SEO?
Your website has its own set of signals called HTTP status codes that act like traffic lights or emergency sirens serving to alert you to potential problems. By regularly checking these codes, you can identify and fix server issues before they become major roadblocks for both users and search engines. Think of it as preventive maintenance for your online world.
Search engines like Google value websites that consistently deliver a smooth and efficient experience. Broken pages, slow loading times, or server errors all send negative signals, potentially pushing your website down the search rankings. Monitoring and resolving these issues through status codes demonstrates to search engines that your website is well-maintained and deserves a higher ranking.
To summarize, regularly checking your website’s HTTP status codes is like getting a routine checkup. By proactively addressing any issues, you can keep your website running smoothly, delighting your users, and climbing up the search engine ladder consistently!
Ways of Checking HTTP Status Code
There are several ways to check HTTP status codes, each offering unique advantages. Here are three examples.
Browser Developer Tools
- Access- Right-click anywhere on a webpage and select Inspect or Inspect Element.
- Find Status Code- Navigate to the Network tab and reload the page.
- View Details- Click on any request to see its status code and other details.
Online HTTP Status Checkers
- Simply enter a URL into a web-based tool like httpstatus.io or WebFx
- Bulk Checks- Often support checking multiple URLs at once.
Browser Extensions
- Add-Ons- Install extensions like HTTP Status Codes for Chrome or Live HTTP Headers for Firefox.
- Display status codes directly within your browser.
Online HTTP Status Code Checker Free Tools
HTTP status code checkers are invaluable tools that show the hidden workings of your website, revealing potential issues and ensuring optimal performance. They act as digital detectives, scanning your site’s health and providing insights to guide your maintenance efforts. Here are some HTTP status code checker-free tools.
HTTPstatus
Httpstatus offers a comprehensive toolkit for website health checks. It clarifies status codes to reveal potential issues, lets you simulate different user experiences with customizable settings, and efficiently analyzes multiple URLs at once. You can filter results for targeted insights and easily export them as CSV files for further analysis and sharing.
Here are its features:
- Visual redirect analysis- Uncover up to 10 redirects per URL, visualize chains, and track round-trip times for insights into your website’s redirection process.
- Customizable requests- Tailor checks with specific user agents, authentication credentials, and optional headers to simulate diverse conditions.
- Powerful filtering- Quickly find relevant information using filters for status codes, redirect types, and request URLs.
- Flexible data export- Download results to Google Sheets, CSV, or XLS files for further analysis and sharing.
- Redirect inactivity measurement- Assess each redirect’s speed to identify potential bottlenecks and ensure smooth user journeys.
- Bulk URL checking- Analyze up to 100 URLs simultaneously for efficient overviews.
WebFX
The WebFX HTTP status checker tool is fairly easy to use. All you need to do is copy and paste your list and you will get instant insights into URL status codes and vital information for optimal website performance.
Here are some of its key features:
- Quick and easy- Simply paste URLs and click “Check” for immediate results.
- Comprehensive reports– View HTTP status, hostname, HTTP code, and full response details.
- Identifies critical issues- Pinpoints 3xx redirects, 4xx client errors, and 5xx server errors for prompt action.
- User-friendly interface- Easily navigate and understand results.
Pemavor
Pemavor is another free tool that points out performance issues across your website, by uncovering potential problems and thereby enhancing user experience. You can gain insights into page loading speeds, track status codes, and redirects, and also export data for in-depth analysis. Here are some additional features:
- Bulk URL checker- Check the status of up to 100 URLs at once.
- Internal link checker- Extract all the links from a single URL for status code checking.
- User-friendly interface- Pemavor is easy to use, even for beginners.
SEOGraphy
Next, we have SEOGraphy, another standard online HTTP status-checking tool where you plug in your website URL and hit Check HTTP Status. Instantly, you get a report and see if your pages are thriving with 200 OKs or plagued by broken links (404s) or server errors (500s).
Here are some prominent features of the SEPGraphy HTTP status checker:
- Redirect tracker- Find hidden redirect chains, ensuring users reach their destination efficiently and SEO value is preserved.
- Detailed response headers- Examine technical details like content type and cache control for deeper insights into server responses.
- Fast and simple interface- Check multiple URLs with ease, making website audits efficient.
Final Word
Checking your website’s HTTP status codes can be considered as giving it a regular checkup. By proactively addressing broken links, server errors, and slow loading times, you ensure a smooth user experience, climb the search engine ladder, and leverage the full potential of your website.
A healthy website is a happy website, and happy websites will bring you success. So, open your favorite HTTP checker and identify and fix issues on your website before they become a major problem!