Statuskode

Statuskode, or status code in English, is a numeric value used in network protocols to indicate the result of a request. In the web context the HTTP response line includes a statuskode that tells the client whether the request succeeded, was redirected, or failed, and why.

HTTP defines five classes of statuscodes: 1xx informational, 2xx success, 3xx redirection, 4xx client error, and 5xx server error. Common examples include 200 OK, 201 Created, 301 Moved Permanently, 400 Bad Request, 401 Unauthorized, 403 Forbidden, 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error, and 503 Service Unavailable.

Clients should rely on the numeric code; the reason phrase is optional in HTTP/1.1 and later, and servers may include a textual description. Statuscodes guide browser behavior, API responses, and middleware decisions, shaping how applications handle success, redirection, or failure.

Standardization and scope: The codes are defined in RFCs such as RFC 7231 for HTTP/1.1. While HTTP is the most common context, other protocols use their own status-like codes. Good practice emphasizes clear, stable codes and meaningful response bodies to convey details beyond the code itself.

Design considerations: When building an API, choose appropriate codes to reflect outcomes, accompany with informative body content, and avoid overloading codes with multiple meanings. For rate limiting and related conditions, use specific codes such as 429 Too Many Requests to signal the issue clearly.