What Is HTTP 200 Response Code?
HTTP 200 response code is a short message from a web server that means Everything is OK. The page or file you asked for was found and sent correctly.
Definition
When you visit a web page, your browser sends a request to the server. The server answers with a number called an HTTP status code.
HTTP 200 is the success code. It tells the browser and search engines that
- The request was understood.
- The server found the page or resource.
- The server returned it without errors.
Most of the time, when a page loads fine in your browser, it is returning HTTP 200 behind the scenes.
Why HTTP 200 Response Code Matters
HTTP 200 is important for both users and search engines.
- For users it means the page loads and works as expected.
- For search engines it means the page is live, can be crawled, and can be added to the index.
If a page should be public and findable, it should normally return HTTP 200. Wrong codes, like 404 or 500, can hurt user experience and SEO.
How HTTP 200 Response Code Works
Here is what happens in simple steps
- You type a web address or click a link.
- Your browser sends an HTTP request to the website server.
- The server checks if the page or file exists and can be sent.
- If everything is fine, the server sends back
- HTTP status code 200.
- The content of the page, like HTML, images, or files.
Your browser then shows you the page. You do not see the 200 code on the screen, but tools and search engines do.
Example of HTTP 200 Response Code
Here is a simple example of an HTTP response header that contains a 200 code
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content Type: text/html
Content Length: 1024
<html>
<head><title>Home Page</title></head>
<body>Welcome to our site</body>
</html>
The first line shows 200 OK which means the request worked and the page content follows.
FAQs
Is HTTP 200 the same as 200 OK
Yes. People often say HTTP 200 or 200 OK. Both mean the same success status code returned by the server.
What is the difference between HTTP 200 and 404
HTTP 200 means the page exists and loaded correctly. HTTP 404 means the page was not found on the server.
What is the difference between HTTP 200 and 301
HTTP 200 means the page you asked for is served normally. HTTP 301 means the page has moved to a new web address and you should use that new URL.
Is HTTP 200 good for SEO
Yes. For pages that should be visible in search results, HTTP 200 is usually the correct status. It tells search engines that the page is live and can be indexed.
How can I check if a page returns HTTP 200
You can use tools like browser developer tools, online HTTP status checkers, or SEO crawlers. They will show you the exact status code for each URL.
