HTTP 203 Non-Authoritative Information vs 402 Payment Required
HTTP 203 (Non-Authoritative Information) is a 2xx Success response, while 402 (Payment Required) is a 4xx Client Error response. 203 indicates that the response payload has been modified by a transforming proxy from the origin server's 200 response. In contrast, 402 means that reserved for future use. Originally intended for digital payment systems, some APIs use it to indicate a billing or subscription issue.
Description
The response payload has been modified by a transforming proxy from the origin server's 200 response.
When You See It
When a proxy or CDN modifies the response body (e.g., adds headers, transforms content).
How to Fix
Check if a proxy is modifying the response. Access the origin directly if you need the original content.
Description
Reserved for future use. Originally intended for digital payment systems, some APIs use it to indicate a billing or subscription issue.
When You See It
On some APIs when a subscription has expired or payment is needed.
How to Fix
Check your billing status, update payment method, or upgrade your subscription.
Key Differences
203 is a 2xx Success response, while 402 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 203: The response payload has been modified by a transforming proxy from the origin server's 200 response.
HTTP 402: Reserved for future use. Originally intended for digital payment systems, some APIs use it to indicate a billing or subscription issue.
You encounter 203 when when a proxy or CDN modifies the response body (e.g., adds headers, transforms content).
You encounter 402 when on some APIs when a subscription has expired or payment is needed.
When to Use Which
For 203 (Non-Authoritative Information): Check if a proxy is modifying the response. Access the origin directly if you need the original content. For 402 (Payment Required): Check your billing status, update payment method, or upgrade your subscription.