What does 200 OK mean?

Synonyms: Successful request Valid response HTTP 200 status

The 200 OK status code is an HTTP response code that indicates a successful request. When a server returns a 200 OK status, it means that the request (such as loading a webpage, submitting a form, or fetching data from an API) was successfully processed, and the requested resource is being returned to the client, typically a web browser.

When Do You See a 200 OK?

Whenever you visit a webpage and everything loads correctly, the server responds with a 200 OK status code, although you don’t see it directly in your browser. It’s essentially a confirmation that all is functioning as expected. This response can apply to different types of HTTP methods, such as:

• GET request: The server is returning the requested data (e.g., loading a webpage or image).
• POST request: The server has successfully processed data sent from a form submission.

Why Is 200 OK Important?

The 200 OK status is a fundamental part of how the web works. It’s the signal that tells browsers and users that the page or data they requested was successfully delivered. Here’s why it matters:

• User Experience: A 200 OK status indicates that the website is functioning properly. It means the user is getting the content they want without errors.
• API Interactions: In API communication, a 200 OK indicates that the data exchange between the client (requesting system) and the server was successful.
• SEO and Site Health: For webmasters, seeing a 200 OK means there are no immediate issues with the server delivering the requested content, contributing to a smooth user experience, which is important for SEO.

Variations of 200 OK

The 200 OK response is straightforward, but there are related variations that indicate success for more specific circumstances:

• 201 Created: The request has been fulfilled, and a new resource has been created as a result (often used in POST requests).
• 202 Accepted: The request has been accepted for processing, but the action has not been completed yet.

Example of a 200 OK Response

When you make a request to a webpage like https://example.com, the server responds with headers like this:

HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Date: Sun, 06 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT
Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8

This tells your browser that the request was successful, and the content (like the HTML of the webpage) follows.

How to Check for a 200 OK

• Browser Dev Tools: In most modern browsers, you can open the Network tab in Developer Tools to inspect each request made to the server and see the HTTP status codes returned.
• Online Tools: Tools like Pingdom or Google Search Console help webmasters monitor HTTP status codes, including 200 OK, across their websites.