HTTP 406 Not Acceptable vs 418 I'm a Teapot
Both HTTP 406 (Not Acceptable) and 418 (I'm a Teapot) belong to the 4xx Client Error category. 406 indicates that the server cannot produce a response matching the Accept headers sent by the client. Meanwhile, 418 means that any attempt to brew coffee with a teapot should result in this error. An April Fools' joke from 1998 that became a beloved part of HTTP culture.
Description
The server cannot produce a response matching the Accept headers sent by the client.
When You See It
When requesting a content type the server doesn't support (e.g., Accept: application/xml when only JSON is available).
How to Fix
Adjust the Accept header to a format the server supports.
Description
Any attempt to brew coffee with a teapot should result in this error. An April Fools' joke from 1998 that became a beloved part of HTTP culture.
When You See It
As an Easter egg on some websites, or when a server humorously refuses a request.
How to Fix
Use a coffee pot instead of a teapot. Or just enjoy the joke.
Key Differences
HTTP 406: The server cannot produce a response matching the Accept headers sent by the client.
HTTP 418: Any attempt to brew coffee with a teapot should result in this error. An April Fools' joke from 1998 that became a beloved part of HTTP culture.
You encounter 406 when when requesting a content type the server doesn't support (e.g., Accept: application/xml when only JSON is available).
You encounter 418 when as an Easter egg on some websites, or when a server humorously refuses a request.
When to Use Which
For 406 (Not Acceptable): Adjust the Accept header to a format the server supports. For 418 (I'm a Teapot): Use a coffee pot instead of a teapot. Or just enjoy the joke.