HTTP Status Checker - Check Status Codes, Redirects & Response Headers

Code	Message	Description
200	OK	The server effectively handled the request. This typically signifies that the server has delivered the page that was asked for.
204	No Content	The server provided a valid response to a client request, which included only header information and excluded any message body. Web clients can leverage this status to handle server responses more optimally, preventing unnecessary page refreshes, for instance.

Code	Message	Description
301	Moved Permanently	The requested page has been permanently moved to a new location. When the server returns this response, it automatically forwards the requestor to the new location. The response should also include this location. It tells the client to use the new URL the next time it wants to fetch the same resource.
302	Found / Moved Temporarily	The server is currently responding to the request with a page from a different location, but the requestor should continue to use the original location for future requests.
304	Not Modified	The requested page hasn't been modified since the last request. When the server returns this response, it doesn't return the contents of the page.
307	Temporary Redirect	The server is currently responding to the request with a page from a different location, but the requestor should continue to use the original location for future requests. There is very little difference between a 302 status code and a 307 status code, but you can use both to temporarily point users to another URL. This status code has the same semantic as the 302 Found HTTP response code, with the exception that the user agent must not change the HTTP method used.
308	Permanent Redirect	This means that the resource is now permanently located at another URI, specified by the Location: HTTP Response header. This has the same semantics as the 301 Moved Permanently HTTP response code, with the exception that the user agent must not change the HTTP method used.

Code	Message	Description
400	Bad Request	The server didn't understand the syntax of the request.
401	Unauthorized	The request requires authentication, before a resource can be accessed, the client must be authorized by the server. The server might return this response for a page behind a login.
403	Forbidden	The server is refusing the request. Unlike a 401 unauthorized response, authenticating will make no difference.
404	Not Found	The server can't find the requested page. For instance, the server often returns this code if the request is for a page that doesn't exist on the server.
408	Request Timeout	The request you sent to the website server (e.g. a request to load a web page) took longer than the website's server was prepared to wait. In other words, your connection with the website "timed out".
410	Gone	The server returns this response when the requested resource has been permanently removed. It is similar to a 404 (Not found) code, but is sometimes used in the place of a 404 for resources that used to exist but no longer do. If the resource has permanently moved, you should use a 301 to specify the resource's new location.
429	Too Many Requests	The client has sent too many requests in a given amount of time ("rate limiting").

Code	Message	Description
500	Internal Server Error	The server encountered something it didn't expect and was unable to complete the request.
502	Bad Gateway	The server received an invalid response from another server.
503	Service Unavailable	The server is currently unavailable (due to a server overload or because it's down for maintenance). Generally, this is a temporary state.
504	Gateway Timeout Error	The server did not receive a timely response from another server that it was accessing while attempting to load the web page or fill another request by the browser. In other words, 504 errors usually indicate that a different computer, one that the website you're getting the 504 message on doesn't control but relies on, isn't communicating with it quickly enough.

HTTP Status Checker: Your Complete Guide to Status Codes and Redirects

Every time you visit a website, your browser communicates with a server through HTTP requests and responses. Part of that response is the status code – a 3-digit code that tells your browser (and search engines) what happened with the request. Understanding these codes is crucial for SEO and website maintenance.

TL;DR

HTTP status codes are 3-digit responses that tell browsers and search engines what happened with a request. Key codes: 200 (OK – index the page), 301 (permanent redirect – transfer SEO value), 302 (temporary redirect – weak signal), 404 (not found – don’t index).

Common mistakes: returning 200 for non-existent pages (“soft 404s”), creating long redirect chains, or redirecting all 404s to the homepage. Use server-side redirects over client-side, keep redirect chains under 5 hops, and aim for under 100ms redirect latency. This tool checks status codes, response headers, and redirect chains to help you maintain optimal site performance and SEO.

What is an HTTP Status Code?

An HTTP status code is a server’s response to a browser’s request. It indicates whether the request was successful, if the page has moved, or if there’s an error. Some familiar examples include:

200: OK – The page loaded successfully
301: Moved Permanently – The page has permanently moved to a new URL
404: Not Found – The requested page doesn’t exist

Just like your browser, search engines receive these status codes when crawling your website. As an SEO professional or website owner, understanding how status codes affect indexation is essential. A properly functioning page should return a 200 status code.

Why HTTP Status Codes Matter for SEO

Based on the status code, Google and other search engines decide whether to index your page. For instance:

A 404 status code tells Google not to index the page
A 301 redirect tells Google to transfer ranking signals to the new URL
A 500 error tells Google there’s a server problem and to try again later

Sending the correct status code is crucial for ranking in search engines. Returning a 200 status code when a page doesn’t exist (a “soft 404”) can waste crawl budget and confuse search engines.

Understanding Status Code Categories

Status codes are grouped by their first digit:

2XX (Success): Everything worked – here’s the page you requested
3XX (Redirection): The page has moved – you’re being sent somewhere else
4XX (Client Error): There’s a problem with your request (page doesn’t exist, unauthorized, etc.)
5XX (Server Error): There’s a problem on the server side

Key HTTP Status Codes for SEO

200 – OK (Success)

This is the status code you want for all your active pages. It tells search engines that the page loaded successfully and should be indexed. While a 200 status code doesn’t guarantee rankings, it’s the foundation for SEO success.

Similar codes: 201 (Created), 202 (Accepted) – but typically you should use 200.

301 – Moved Permanently

A 301 redirect indicates that a page has permanently moved to a new URL. Visitors are automatically forwarded to the new location, and search engines transfer most of the SEO value from the old URL to the new one.

Important: 301 redirects are cached by browsers, meaning even if you remove the redirect later, visitors may still be redirected. If you’re unsure about permanence, use a 302 instead.

The 308 (Permanent Redirect) status code has the same effect as 301.

302 – Found / Moved Temporarily

Like a 301, a 302 redirect sends visitors to a different page. The key difference:

302 redirects are temporary and won’t be cached by browsers
Search engines treat 302 as a weak signal, whereas 301 is a strong signal
Better for testing or temporary changes

When to use 301 vs 302?

Use 301 when you’re 100% certain the URL has permanently changed
Use 302 if the change might be temporary or could be rolled back

Similar codes: 303 (See Other), 307 (Temporary Redirect)

404 – Not Found

The page doesn’t exist. Search engines will remove 404 pages from their index and stop crawling them. This is the correct status code for pages that have been removed or never existed.

Note: It’s better to show a helpful 404 page than to redirect all 404s to your homepage, which confuses users.

429 – Too Many Requests

The server is rate-limiting requests. Google will slow down crawling if it encounters this status.

500 – Internal Server Error

Something went wrong on the server. Google will slow down crawling and try again later.

Other Interesting HTTP Status Codes

While most SEO work involves a handful of common status codes, the HTTP specification includes many others – some practical, some quirky. Here are some interesting examples:

418 – I’m a Teapot

Perhaps the most famous “joke” HTTP status code, 418 I’m a Teapot was defined in 1998 as an April Fools’ joke in RFC 2324, the “Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol.” The code indicates that the server refuses to brew coffee because it’s permanently a teapot.

While originally a joke, some websites have implemented 418 responses for fun Easter eggs. It remains in the HTTP specification as a beloved piece of internet history.

401 – Unauthorized

The request requires authentication. Despite the name “Unauthorized,” this actually means “Unauthenticated” – the client must provide valid credentials. Common for pages behind login screens.

403 – Forbidden

The server understands the request but refuses to authorize it. Unlike 401, providing authentication won’t help – you’re not allowed to access this resource, period.

410 – Gone

Similar to 404, but with an important distinction: 410 Gone indicates the resource used to exist but has been permanently removed and won’t come back. This is a stronger signal than 404.

SEO Tip: Use 410 for pages you intentionally removed and want search engines to deindex faster than with a 404.

451 – Unavailable for Legal Reasons

Named after Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451,” this code indicates content has been blocked for legal reasons (censorship, copyright violations, court orders, etc.). First formally documented in 2016.

503 – Service Unavailable

The server is temporarily unable to handle the request, usually due to maintenance or overload. Unlike 500, this suggests a temporary problem.

SEO Tip: Use 503 with a Retry-After header during planned maintenance to tell search engines when to come back.

504 – Gateway Timeout

The server was acting as a gateway or proxy and didn’t receive a timely response from an upstream server. Common with complex architectures involving multiple servers.

408 – Request Timeout

The server timed out waiting for the client to send a complete request. This can happen with slow or unreliable internet connections.

Less Common but Valid Codes

100 – Continue: The server has received the request headers, and the client should proceed to send the request body
206 – Partial Content: Used for range requests (like video streaming or resumable downloads)
304 – Not Modified: The cached version is still valid (improves performance)
400 – Bad Request: The server couldn’t understand the request due to invalid syntax
405 – Method Not Allowed: The request method (GET, POST, etc.) isn’t supported for this resource
502 – Bad Gateway: The server received an invalid response from an upstream server

Fun Fact

The complete list of HTTP status codes includes dozens of codes covering everything from network authentication requirements to bandwidth exceeded. Wikipedia maintains a comprehensive list of all possible HTTP status codes – including the beloved 418 I’m a Teapot.

What is a Redirect Checker?

A redirect checker is a tool that verifies and analyzes URL redirections. It helps you:

Determine if a URL is redirecting correctly
Identify the destination URL
View the complete redirect chain
Check HTTP status codes at each step
Measure redirect latency (speed)
Detect redirect loops and chains

This is essential for website owners, SEO professionals, and developers during site migrations, domain changes, or when troubleshooting broken links.

Understanding Redirect Chains

A redirect chain occurs when multiple successive redirects lead from one URL to another before reaching the final destination. For example:

example.com/page-a → example.com/page-b → example.com/page-c → example.com/page-d

Why Redirect Chains Are Problematic

Slower page load times: Each redirect adds latency
Lost link equity: Some SEO value is lost at each redirect step
Crawl budget waste: Search engines may not follow long chains
Poor mobile experience: Especially bad for users on slow connections

Important: If there are more than 5 hops in a redirect chain, Googlebot will not reach the destination URL.

How to Fix Redirect Chains

Identify all URLs in the chain using a redirect checker
Determine which redirects are necessary
Consolidate into direct redirects – make the first URL redirect directly to the final destination
Update internal links to point directly to the final URL
Test thoroughly before implementing
Monitor regularly for new chains after site updates

Why Redirects Can Be Slow

Redirect latency refers to the delay introduced by the redirection process. Several factors contribute:

Factors Affecting Redirect Speed

Server processing time: The server needs to process the redirect instruction
DNS lookups: Cross-domain redirects require resolving new domain names
Network latency: Physical distance between client and server
HTTP request/response cycles: Each redirect adds another complete HTTP cycle
TLS handshakes: HTTPS redirects require additional SSL/TLS negotiation

Redirect Latency Thresholds

According to industry standards:

Good: Below 100ms per redirect – fast with minimal delay
Moderate: 100ms – 300ms – acceptable but noticeable
Poor: Above 300ms – significantly impacts user experience

Minimizing Redirect Latency

Use direct links instead of redirects whenever possible
Minimize redirect chains – avoid multiple sequential redirects
Keep redirects same-origin – avoid cross-domain redirects when possible
Optimize server response time – improve server configuration
Use CDNs – offload redirects to edge servers closer to users
Implement HSTS – eliminate HTTP to HTTPS redirects for repeat visitors

Canonical Redirects: Why They Matter

Canonical redirects ensure that multiple versions of the same page redirect to one preferred version. This is crucial for avoiding duplicate content issues.

Common Canonical Redirect Scenarios

Non-www to www (or vice versa)

example.com → www.example.com

Trailing slash consistency

example.com/page/ → example.com/page

HTTP to HTTPS

http://example.com → https://example.com

URL case normalization

example.com/Page → example.com/page

Why Check Canonical Redirects?

Prevent duplicate content: Avoid multiple versions of the same page
Consolidate link equity: Focus all ranking signals on one URL
Improve user experience: Ensure consistent URLs across your site
Boost link-building effectiveness: External links contribute to one authoritative page

Client-Side vs Server-Side Redirects

Server-Side Redirects (Recommended)

Server-side redirects are handled by the server before content is sent to the browser. They use HTTP status codes (301, 302, etc.) and are the gold standard for SEO.

Advantages:

Search engines interpret them accurately
Faster execution
Preserve link equity effectively
Work without JavaScript enabled

Client-Side Redirects

Client-side redirects happen in the browser using JavaScript or meta refresh tags, after the page has loaded.

JavaScript redirect example:

window.location.href = "https://example.com/new-page";

Meta refresh example:

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; URL='https://example.com/new-page'" />

Disadvantages:

May not be interpreted correctly by search engines
Slower than server-side redirects
Won’t work if JavaScript is disabled (for JS redirects)
Google may not see them if rendering fails

Google’s Recommendation: Use server-side redirects whenever possible. Only use meta refresh or JavaScript redirects if server-side redirects aren’t available on your platform.

Common HTTP Status Code Mistakes

1. Returning 200 for Non-Existent Pages (Soft 404)

If a page doesn’t exist but returns a 200 status code, Google might index an error page. This wastes crawl budget and creates a poor user experience.

Solution: Always return proper 404 status codes for non-existent pages.

2. Using Redirects for Pages That Never Existed

Don’t redirect all 404s to your homepage. If a page never existed, show a helpful 404 page instead.

Why? Users are confused when they land on your homepage expecting specific content. A good 404 page with helpful navigation is better.

3. Returning 404 for Working Pages

This is rare but devastating. If a working page returns 404, it won’t be indexed.

Solution: Always verify status codes after server changes or migrations.

4. Long Redirect Chains

Multiple redirects in sequence slow down your site and may prevent search engines from reaching the final destination.

Solution: Update redirects to point directly to the final URL.

How to Use This HTTP Status Checker

This tool helps you check status codes, response headers, and redirect chains for multiple URLs simultaneously.

Step-by-Step Guide

Enter URLs: Add one or more URLs to check (one per line)
Select User Agent: Choose which user agent to simulate (browser, Googlebot, etc.)
Click “Check Redirects”: The tool will follow all redirects and show the complete chain
Review Results: See status codes, redirect chains, response headers, and timing
Export Data: Download results as CSV for further analysis

Understanding the Results

For each URL, you’ll see:

Request URL: The original URL you checked
Status Codes: All status codes in the redirect chain (e.g., 301 → 301 → 200)
Redirect Chain: Each step showing status code, scheme (HTTP/HTTPS), host, and path
Response Headers: Technical details about the server’s response
Redirect Latency: Time taken for each redirect

Why Check with Different User Agents?

Some websites serve different content or redirects based on the user agent. For example:

Googlebot: See what search engines see when crawling your site
Mobile browsers: Check mobile-specific redirects
Social bots: Verify social media preview functionality

Best Practices for Managing Redirects

Audit regularly: Check your redirects quarterly or after major site changes
Keep redirects simple: Direct redirects are better than chains
Update internal links: Don’t link to redirected URLs
Choose the right redirect type: 301 for permanent, 302 for temporary
Monitor redirect speed: Aim for under 100ms per redirect
Document your redirects: Maintain a redirect map for your site
Test before launching: Always verify redirects work correctly
Use server-side redirects: Avoid JavaScript and meta refresh when possible

How Google Handles Status Codes

Code	Meaning	Google’s Action
200	OK	Index the page
301	Moved permanently	Follow redirect, use target as canonical (strong signal)
302	Moved temporarily	Follow redirect, but weak canonical signal
404	Not found	Don’t index, remove if previously indexed
429	Too many requests	Slow down crawling
4XX	Client errors	Don’t index, remove if previously indexed (except 429)
5XX	Server errors	Slow down crawling, try again later

For more details, see Google’s documentation on HTTP status codes.

HTTP status codes are fundamental to how the web works and crucial for SEO success. Whether you’re migrating a website, fixing broken links, or optimizing your site’s performance, understanding and monitoring status codes is essential.

Use this HTTP Status Checker to:

Verify your redirects are working correctly
Identify and fix redirect chains
Ensure search engines can crawl your site properly
Monitor redirect performance
Troubleshoot indexing issues

By regularly checking your site’s HTTP status codes and maintaining clean redirect structures, you’ll improve both user experience and search engine rankings.