Whenever a user attempts to load a webpage, a seamless interaction occurs between the browser and the web server. The server’s response always includes HTTP Status Codes, which indicate whether the request was successful, redirected, or encountered an error. For website owners, developers, and SEO professionals, understanding HTTP Status Codes is essential to maintaining website performance and diagnosing issues efficiently.

This guide provides a structured explanation of the HTTP status codes list, highlights key examples such as HTTP status codes 200, HTTP status codes 400, and HTTP status codes 404, and presents a concise HTTP status code cheat sheet for practical reference.

What Are HTTP Status Codes?

HTTP Status Codes are three-digit numerical responses sent by a server when a browser or crawler requests a webpage. These codes summarise the outcome of the request and are divided into five main categories:

1xx – Informational: The request was received, and the process is continuing.
2xx – Success: The request was successful, and the server returned the expected response.
3xx – Redirection: The browser must perform a further action to complete the request.
4xx – Client Error: The client sent an incorrect or invalid request.
5xx – Server Error: The server failed to fulfil a valid request.

Understanding these categories helps interpret the most common HTTP status code patterns encountered across websites.

Boost your visibility with DigiBirds360. Get Started with our Specialised SEO Services today.

Common HTTP Status Codes and Their Meanings

Understanding HTTP status codes is essential for diagnosing website issues and ensuring a smooth user experience. These codes indicate whether a request was successful, redirected, encountered a client error, or failed due to a server issue.

Below is a simplified breakdown of the most common HTTP status codes:

Success Responses (2xx Series)

Success codes confirm that the request was processed correctly. The most important include:

1. 200 OK

The most reliable and widely referenced code in the HTTP status codes list. It indicates complete success; content is delivered without issues.

2. 201 Created

Returned when a request (commonly POST) successfully creates a new resource, such as a form submission or file upload.

3. 204 No Content

The request was processed, but no content was returned. Ideal for background updates or API responses.

These HTTP status codes 200 variants confirm that the server handled the request correctly and efficiently.

Redirection Responses (3xx Series)

Redirection codes notify the browser that another action is required, typically loading a different URL.

1. 301 Moved Permanently

A permanent redirect signal. Search engines transfer ranking signals to the new URL—crucial for SEO stability.

2. 302 Found

A temporary redirect. Search engines do not pass ranking value; best used for short-term content changes.

3. 304 Not Modified

Indicates that cached content can be reused, helping reduce load time and boost website efficiency.

These codes are fundamental to any HTTP status code cheat sheet used for managing redirects and site migrations.

Client Error Responses (4xx Series)

Client-side error codes indicate issues originating from the browser or the request structure.

1. 400 Bad Request

The server cannot process the request due to invalid syntax. It often signals malformed URLs or incorrect query structures.

2. 401 Unauthorised

Authentication is required but not provided or invalid.

3. 403 Forbidden

The server understands the request but refuses to authorise access.

4. 404 Not Found

One of the most recognised and frequently searched codes, ‘HTTP status codes 404’. It means the server cannot locate the requested page. This often occurs due to broken links or removed content.

These HTTP status codes 400 and their variations impact SEO significantly, as Google removes persistent 4xx pages from its index.

Server Error Responses (5xx Series)

Server errors indicate that the fault lies with the host, not the user.

1. 500 Internal Server Error

A general server-side issue, often caused by configuration problems, code failures, or temporary disruptions.

2. 502 Bad Gateway

The server acting as a gateway received an invalid response from another server.

3. 503 Service Unavailable

The server is temporarily overloaded or under maintenance. Repeated occurrences can impact website crawlability.

4. 504 Gateway Timeout

The server failed to receive a timely response from another network resource.

These errors signal instability on the server side and must be resolved quickly to avoid crawl interruptions.

Discover how DigiBirds 360 empowers brands with powerful SEO Services. Learn more about who we are.

Why Understanding HTTP Status Codes Matters

HTTP status codes act as the communication layer between a website and the server, revealing how each request is processed. By interpreting these signals correctly, teams can maintain website performance, reduce errors, and ensure smooth accessibility:

For Website Owners

Understanding HTTP Status Codes helps identify broken pages, track downtime, and ensure a seamless user journey across the site.

For SEO Professionals

Status codes influence crawlability, indexability, and ranking stability. Incorrect responses, such as soft 404s or faulty redirects, can directly affect organic visibility.

For Developers

Status codes allow efficient debugging of request-response cycles, ensuring API reliability, correct redirect logic, and proper server configuration.

In short, these codes reflect website health and are essential for maintaining an optimised and search-friendly digital environment.

Tools to Check HTTP Status Codes

Professionals commonly rely on:

Browser Developer Tools: Real-time insights into responses, redirects, and load behaviour.
Online HTTP Status Checkers: Tools like httpstatus.io for quick verification.
Website Crawlers: Platforms such as Screaming Frog provide full-site audits and highlight problematic code.

Regular monitoring ensures any critical HTTP status codes 400, 404, or 5xx errors are detected early.

Best Practices for Managing HTTP Status Codes

Effective handling of HTTP status codes is essential for maintaining website health, improving user experience, and ensuring search engines correctly index your pages. By managing these codes strategically, you can prevent crawl errors, avoid traffic loss, and provide clear communication between the server and client.

Below are the key best practices every website should follow:

1. Monitor Errors Regularly: Frequent audits help detect broken links, incorrect redirects, or server instability.

2. Create Effective Custom Error Pages: Especially for HTTP status codes 404, customised error pages improve user experience and reduce bounce rates.

3. Use Redirects Correctly: Implement 301 redirects for permanent URL changes and 302 only for temporary adjustments.

4. Optimise Performance: Server optimisation prevents frequent 5xx interruptions. Use CDNs, caching, and efficient code practices.

5. Maintain Clean Site Architecture: Clear URL structures and updated internal linking reduce unnecessary 404 occurrences.

These practices reinforce the importance of understanding the complete HTTP status codes list and applying it effectively.

Have Questions? Contact DigiBirds360 and Speak to a Digital Growth Specialist Today!

Conclusion

HTTP Status Codes serve as crucial indicators of how efficiently a website communicates with users and search engines. From the reliability of HTTP status codes 200 to the user-impacting nature of HTTP status codes 400 and 404, each code carries meaningful insight into website performance.

By monitoring, analysing, and implementing best practices around these codes, businesses can improve user experience, strengthen SEO performance, and maintain a stable and responsive digital presence. A well-structured approach, supported by an organised HTTP status code cheat sheet, ensures long-term website reliability and visibility.