HTTP 302 Found vs 404 Not Found
HTTP 302 (Found) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 404 (Not Found) 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, 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 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 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
302 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 404 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 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 302 when during A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
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 302 (Found): Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect. For 404 (Not Found): Verify the URL is correct. Check for typos, case sensitivity, and trailing slashes.