> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://adidas.gitbook.io/api-guidelines/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://adidas.gitbook.io/api-guidelines/rest-api-guidelines/protocol/use-appropriate-status-codes.md).

# Status Codes

Every API **MUST** use the appropriate [HTTP Status Codes](https://github.com/for-GET/know-your-http-well/blob/master/status-codes.md) to communicate the result of a request operation.

Every API designer, implementer and consumer **MUST** understand the semantic of the HTTP Status Code she is using.

At a minimum everyone **MUST** be familiar with the semantics of ["Common" HTTP Status Codes](https://github.com/for-GET/know-your-http-well/blob/master/status-codes.md#common).

## Example

## Use Codes 4xx or 5xx to Communicate Errors

The 4xx range concerns errors in the API Consumer/Client side, while 5xx range concerns errors in the upstream/backend service or the API implementation.

A request:

```
GET /orders/1234 HTTP/1.1
...
```

resulting in the **200 OK** response when the requested resource (as identified by request URI) couldn't be found:

```
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Content-Type: application/json
...


{
    "code": "NOT_FOUND_ERR_CODE"
    "message" "Order 1234 wasn't found"
}
```

is **not acceptable**.

Instead

```
HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found
...
```

should be returned.

## Recommended Reading

* [How to Think About HTTP Status Codes](https://www.mnot.net/blog/2017/05/11/status_codes)


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