What do HTTP 200, HTTP 201, HTTP 202 and HTTP 204 mean?

HTTP codes are a way for a server to communicate with your browser. Codes that begin with HTTP 200 confirm that a request has been successfully processed, but there are many different codes in the series starting with HTTP 200.  

In this article, we will explore the meanings of HTTP 200, HTTP 201, HTTP 202, HTTP 203, HTTP 204, HTTP 205, HTTP 206, HTTP 207, HTTP 208, and HTTP 226, as well as their significance for you, your browser, and your server. 

What is a 2xx status code? 

All HTTP status codes beginning with a 2 carry a positive message: something worked! This sets them apart from codes users more often encounter, such as HTTP 404 or HTTP 503, which appear when a page is not found or a server is down. 

HTTP 2xx status codes, however, are sent almost constantly. They are sent every time you load a page, which means they rarely attract attention. But if you own a website, configure a VPS, or work as a web developer, it can be important to know what HTTP 200 means. 

What does HTTP 200 mean? 

HTTP 200, or “OK”, means that a request was successful. For example, when you visit a website and everything works as it should, a 200 status code is sent back to your browser. It signals that the server has understood and processed the request without issues and that all content can be displayed. 

HTTP 200 can have slightly different meanings depending on the request. Here are the different request types and what the status code means for each: 

• GET: A resource was retrieved by the server and included in the response body. 
• POST: An action was successful, and the response contains a body describing the result. HTTP 201 is often used instead. 
• HEAD: Same as GET but without a response body. 
• TRACE: The response contains a body with the request as it was received by the server. 

What does HTTP 201 mean? 

HTTP 201, “Created”, is used when a new resource has been created on the server. This happens, for example, if you fill out a form and send data that is stored in a database. The server then responds with 201 to confirm that something new has actually been created. Sometimes, a link to the new resource is also included, allowing the client to access it directly. 

What does HTTP 202 mean? 

HTTP 202 means “Accepted” and is used when a request has been received but not yet fully processed. It’s the server’s way of saying: “I’ve got your request, but give me a moment to finish working on it.”  

This code is especially common in systems where tasks take time, such as when a large file is being processed in the background. The client, therefore, has to wait for the final result. That said, there is no guarantee that the task will be completed. 

What does HTTP 203 mean? 

HTTP 203, “Non-Authoritative Information”, is sent when a server returns information that doesn’t come directly from the original source. For example, this can happen if a proxy server modifies or adjusts the content before passing it on to the client. The information is still usable, but it’s not exactly the same as what the original server sent. 

What does HTTP 204 mean? 

HTTP 204, “No Content”, means that the server has processed a request but does not need to send back any content. It’s useful in situations where the client does not need a page or data in return, but only confirmation that everything went fine.  

One example is when a browser sends a request to update data in the background. 

What does HTTP 205 mean? 

HTTP 205, “Reset Content”, is a status code asking the client to reset something to its original state. It’s often used with forms. For example, if you submit data and the server responds with 205, it signals that the form should be cleared so that you can fill it in again. 

What does HTTP 206 mean? 

HTTP 206, “Partial Content”, is used when a client requests only part of a resource, and the server responds with just that part. This is common in video streaming, where the user doesn’t download the entire video at once but only the segments needed. This saves bandwidth and makes loading faster. 

What does HTTP 207 mean? 

HTTP 207, “Multi-Status”, is used when a server wants to return multiple status codes in a single response. This is common with WebDAV, where a client may request multiple files or resources simultaneously. The server then sends a combined report where each resource gets its own status, for example, 200 if it loaded correctly or 404 if it’s missing. This way the client doesn’t need to send multiple separate requests. 

What does HTTP 208 mean? 

HTTP 208, “Already Reported”, is another status code used in WebDAV. It means that a particular resource has already been reported in the response and doesn’t need to be listed again. This makes the response more efficient by avoiding unnecessary repetition. The client still gets all the necessary information but doesn’t have to handle duplicate entries for the same resource. 

What does HTTP 226 mean? 

HTTP 226, “IM Used”, is a more unusual status code that is rarely used. When it is, it indicates that the server has processed a request using what’s called “delta encoding”. This means that the server returns a resource that has already been modified or updated, rather than the entire original. It’s a smart way to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred, making communication more efficient. 

What’s the difference between 2xx and other status codes? 

Status codes in the 200 series indicate that a request was successfully answered. Each code has its own meaning, but HTTP 200 is the most common. Other HTTP codes are used in the same way—sent from a server to a browser—but carry very different meanings. For example, HTTP 100 status codes indicate that communication is still ongoing. 

Why you should care about HTTP 200 codes 

Although billions of HTTP 200 status codes are sent over the internet every day, most go unnoticed. If you own a website, use a web hosting plan or a VPS, it is essential to pay attention to HTTP 200 because it helps you troubleshoot.  

For example, if you encounter an issue with your website, an HTTP 200 response helps confirm that the problem is not between the server and the client, but instead may lie in the site’s logic.