Searchable reference for all HTTP status codes with meanings.
An HTTP status code is a three-digit number sent by a web server to a browser indicating the outcome of a requested action. They tell your browser whether a webpage loaded successfully, encountered an error, or requires redirection.
A 404 error is a client-side issue meaning the requested webpage or file could not be found on the server. A 500 error is a server-side issue meaning the server encountered an unexpected condition and failed to fulfill the request.
Status codes like 200 (OK), 301 (Permanent Redirect), 302 (Temporary Redirect), 404 (Not Found), and 410 (Gone) are highly important for SEO. Properly managing these ensures search engines can efficiently crawl, index, and understand your website's structure.
The first digit of an HTTP status code defines the response class: 1xx is informational, 2xx indicates success, 3xx means redirection, 4xx represents a client error, and 5xx signifies a server error.
A 403 Forbidden error means the server understands the request but refuses to authorize it, often due to incorrect file permissions or a misconfigured .htaccess file. To fix it, check your directory permissions, ensure your IP isn't blocked, and verify your web server configuration.