TechnicalFree
Explain HTTP status codes
Describe what is happening in your API and get the right status code, why it fits, the close alternatives, and an example response.
River's HTTP Status Code Explainer helps you choose the right status code for any scenario. You describe your use case, and the AI explains which status code to use, why it's appropriate, and what the response should contain. Perfect for learning REST API conventions and making correct status code decisions.
Unlike memorizing all codes, we provide contextual guidance. The AI understands HTTP semantics, explains reasoning behind recommendations, and shows you how to use codes correctly in real-world scenarios.
This tool is perfect for junior developers learning HTTP, backend engineers making API decisions, technical leads reviewing code, and teams standardizing API responses.
Understanding HTTP Status Codes
HTTP status codes communicate what happened with a request. 2xx codes mean success. 3xx mean redirection. 4xx mean client error (user did something wrong). 5xx mean server error (your code broke). Choosing the right code helps clients handle responses correctly and makes APIs intuitive.
How It Works
Describe scenario
Explain what's happening in your API
AI recommends status code
Get recommendation with explanation
Implement correctly
Use recommended code in your API
What You Get
- Recommended HTTP status code
- Clear explanation of why it's right
- What to include in response body
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Related status codes to consider
Common questions
What's the difference between 401 and 403?
401 means not authenticated (no valid credentials provided). 403 means authenticated but not authorized (logged in but don't have permission). Use 401 when user needs to log in. Use 403 when user is logged in but can't access resource.
When should I use 400 vs 422?
400 for malformed requests (invalid JSON, wrong content type). 422 for well-formed requests with semantic errors (valid JSON but email format wrong, required field missing). 422 is more specific and helpful.
Should I use 200 for all successful operations?
No. Use 200 for successful GET. Use 201 for successful POST (resource created). Use 204 for successful DELETE (no content to return). Use 202 for accepted but processing async. Specific codes help clients understand what happened.
Explain HTTP status codes
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