HTTP Status Codes Reference
Search every common HTTP status code, see what it means in plain English and learn how redirects and errors affect your Google rankings.
HTTP Status Codes Reference: Search every common HTTP status code, see what it means in plain English and learn how redirects and errors affect your Google rankings. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser. How to use it: 1) type a code like 404 or a word like redirect into the search box; 2) filter by class, or show only the codes that matter most for SEO; 3) read the meaning and the SEO impact for each code.
What HTTP status codes are
Every time a browser or Googlebot asks your server for a page, the server answers with a three digit status code before any content. The first digit gives the class of the answer.
| Class | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1xx | Informational, the request is still in progress |
| 2xx | Success, the page was delivered |
| 3xx | Redirect, the content is at another URL |
| 4xx | Client error, the page is missing or blocked |
| 5xx | Server error, the server failed |
Why codes matter for SEO
Google uses status codes to decide what to index. A 301 moves ranking signals to a new URL, while a long running 302 confuses that signal. A 404 or 410 removes a page from the index over time. Repeated 5xx errors slow down crawling, and a 503 with a Retry-After header is the right way to handle planned maintenance.
What is included
The list covers the official codes from the HTTP standards, the WebDAV codes and the common Cloudflare 52x codes. Codes that matter most for rankings are marked SEO.
Limitations
This is a reference, not a live check. To see the code a page returns, use a redirect or headers checker. Servers and plugins sometimes send the wrong code, such as a 200 on an error page, which Google treats as a soft 404.
HTTP Status Codes FAQs
What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 says a page has moved for good, so Google moves ranking signals to the new URL and shows it in results. A 302 says the move is temporary, so Google keeps the old URL at first. Use 301 for site moves, HTTPS changes and new URLs, and 302 only for short tests.
Should I use 404 or 410 for deleted pages?
Both remove a page from Google over time. A 410 Gone says the page was removed on purpose, and Google may drop it slightly faster. A 404 is fine for most cases. If the old page had backlinks or traffic, a 301 redirect to the closest related page is usually better than either.
Does a 503 error hurt my Google rankings?
A short 503 during maintenance is the correct signal and does not hurt rankings. Google comes back later, especially if you add a Retry-After header. If your site returns 503 or other 5xx errors for several days, Google crawls less and can start dropping pages from its index.
What is a soft 404?
A soft 404 is an error or empty page that returns 200 OK instead of 404. Google detects these pages and treats them as missing, but they still waste crawl budget and confuse reports. Make sure your server sends a real 404 or 410 code for pages that no longer exist.
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