HTTP 302 Found vs 400 Bad Request
HTTP 302 (Found) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 400 (Bad Request) is a 4xx Client Error response. 302 indicates that the resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests. In contrast, 400 means that the server cannot process the request due to malformed syntax, invalid request message framing, or deceptive request routing.
Description
The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
When You See It
During A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
How to Fix
Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect.
Description
The server cannot process the request due to malformed syntax, invalid request message framing, or deceptive request routing.
When You See It
When sending malformed JSON, missing required fields, or invalid query parameters.
How to Fix
Check the request body format, validate all required fields, and ensure proper encoding.
Key Differences
302 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 400 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 302: The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
HTTP 400: The server cannot process the request due to malformed syntax, invalid request message framing, or deceptive request routing.
You encounter 302 when during A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
You encounter 400 when when sending malformed JSON, missing required fields, or invalid query parameters.
When to Use Which
For 302 (Found): Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect. For 400 (Bad Request): Check the request body format, validate all required fields, and ensure proper encoding.