HTTP 429 Too Many Requests vs 500 Internal Server Error
HTTP 429 (Too Many Requests) is a 4xx Client Error response, while 500 (Internal Server Error) is a 5xx Server Error response. 429 indicates that the user has sent too many requests in a given time (rate limiting). The response should include a Retry-After header. In contrast, 500 means that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
Description
The user has sent too many requests in a given time (rate limiting). The response should include a Retry-After header.
When You See It
When hitting API rate limits or making too many requests too quickly.
How to Fix
Check the Retry-After header. Implement exponential backoff. Consider caching responses.
Description
The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
When You See It
When an unhandled exception occurs, a database connection fails, or server code has a bug.
How to Fix
Check server logs for the stack trace. Common causes: unhandled exceptions, database errors, misconfigurations.
Key Differences
429 is a 4xx Client Error response, while 500 is a 5xx Server Error response.
HTTP 429: The user has sent too many requests in a given time (rate limiting). The response should include a Retry-After header.
HTTP 500: The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
You encounter 429 when when hitting API rate limits or making too many requests too quickly.
You encounter 500 when when an unhandled exception occurs, a database connection fails, or server code has a bug.
When to Use Which
For 429 (Too Many Requests): Check the Retry-After header. Implement exponential backoff. Consider caching responses. For 500 (Internal Server Error): Check server logs for the stack trace. Common causes: unhandled exceptions, database errors, misconfigurations.