HTTP 201 Created vs 404 Not Found
HTTP 201 (Created) is a 2xx Success response, while 404 (Not Found) is a 4xx Client Error response. 201 indicates that the request succeeded and a new resource was created. Typically returned after POST or PUT requests that create a new entity. In contrast, 404 means that the server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
Description
The request succeeded and a new resource was created. Typically returned after POST or PUT requests that create a new entity.
When You See It
After successfully creating a new user, post, order, or other resource via a REST API.
How to Fix
No fix needed. Check the Location header for the URL of the new resource.
Description
The server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
When You See It
When a URL is mistyped, a page has been deleted, or an API endpoint doesn't exist.
How to Fix
Verify the URL is correct. Check for typos, case sensitivity, and trailing slashes.
Key Differences
201 is a 2xx Success response, while 404 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 201: The request succeeded and a new resource was created. Typically returned after POST or PUT requests that create a new entity.
HTTP 404: The server cannot find the requested resource. The URL may be wrong, the resource may have been deleted, or it may never have existed.
You encounter 201 when after successfully creating a new user, post, order, or other resource via a REST API.
You encounter 404 when when a URL is mistyped, a page has been deleted, or an API endpoint doesn't exist.
When to Use Which
For 201 (Created): No fix needed. Check the Location header for the URL of the new resource. For 404 (Not Found): Verify the URL is correct. Check for typos, case sensitivity, and trailing slashes.