HTTP Status Code Checker

An HTTP Status Code Checker is a diagnostic tool that identifies the 3-digit numerical response a web server sends back when a browser or search engine requests a page. In 2026, these codes are the "language" of the internet, telling you instantly whether a page is healthy, moved, or completely broken.

The 5 Classes of HTTP Status Codes

Every status code starts with a number from 1 to 5, which indicates the general category of the response:

• 1xx: Informational The server has received the request and is continuing to process it. You will rarely see these in daily browsing, as they are mostly used for background technical communication.

• 2xx: Success The best category to see! A 200 OK means the request was successful, and the page is being delivered correctly to the user.

• 3xx: Redirection The requested resource has moved. The browser is automatically being sent to a new URL. The most common is 301 (Moved Permanently), which is essential for preserving SEO authority.

• 4xx: Client Error Something went wrong on the user's end. The famous 404 Not Found means the page doesn't exist, while 403 Forbidden means access is denied.

• 5xx: Server Error The server failed to fulfill a valid request. A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic "crash" message, while a 503 Service Unavailable often means the server is overloaded or down for maintenance.

Why Status Codes Are Critical for SEO in 2026

Search engine crawlers (like Googlebot) use these codes to decide how to treat your content:

1. Indexing Health If a crawler hits a 404 or 500 error, it may stop trying to index that page. If the error persists, the page will eventually be removed from search results entirely.

2. Preserving "Link Juice" When you move a page, using a 301 redirect ensures that the ranking power and backlinks from the old URL are transferred to the new one. Using a 302 (Temporary) redirect by mistake may prevent this authority from passing through.

3. User Experience (UX) High frequencies of 4xx errors lead to a high bounce rate, as users leave your site when they encounter "Page Not Found" messages. In 2026, user engagement signals are a primary ranking factor.

How to Use the Status Code Checker

1. Enter Your URL(s): Most tools allow you to paste a single link or a bulk list of up to 100 URLs.

2. Select User-Agent (Advanced): You can often choose to check the status as a "Desktop Browser" or as "Googlebot" to see if your server treats search engines differently.

3. Analyze the Result: The tool will return the code for each URL. Pay close attention to any "Redirect Chains" (where one redirect leads to another, then another), as these slow down your site.

4. Fix the Errors: * For 404s: Redirect the broken link to a relevant live page.

   • For 500s: Contact your hosting provider or check your server logs for script errors.

   • For 302s: Convert them to 301s if the move is permanent.

Pro-Tip: The 410 "Gone" Status

If you have permanently deleted a page and don't have a relevant replacement, use a 410 status instead of a 404. It tells search engines "This is gone on purpose; please stop checking it," which helps clear your site out of the crawl queue faster.

James Smith

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.