204

No Content

2xx Success

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Server perspective

Use 204 when the request succeeded and the client does not need a response body.

When to use

  • •Return 204 for successful deletes or updates when the representation is unnecessary
  • •Use headers for metadata such as validators or caching information

How to respond

  • •Do not send a message body
  • •Include metadata headers like ETag when they help the client understand the new state

Headers to consider

  • •ETag

Response body

  • •Do not include a response body in a 204 response

Server-side pitfalls

  • •Do not send body content with 204
  • •Do not use 204 when the API contract expects a representation or action result

Examples

Silent successful update

Request:PATCH /api/profile
Response:204 No Content

The server confirms success while keeping the response minimal.

References

Related 2xx Success Codes

200

OK

Everything worked perfectly! The server understood your request and sent back exactly what you asked for.

201

Created

Something new was created! Like adding a new post, user account, or file - the server made it and it now exists.

202

Accepted

We got your request and we're working on it! We'll process it later, but don't wait around - check back later to see if it's done.

203

Non-Authoritative Information

The request worked, but the response may have been adjusted by something in the middle, like a proxy, before it reached you.

205

Reset Content

Success! We did what you asked, and now please clear your form or reset your page so you can start fresh.

206

Partial Content

You asked for just a piece of a file (like pages 5-10 of a book), and here's that specific piece you wanted!

207

Multi-Status

I did multiple things for you - some worked, some didn't. Here's a detailed report of what happened to each item.

WebDAV
208

Already Reported

The server is saying, 'I already told you about this item earlier in the same detailed report, so I’m not repeating it.'

WebDAV
226

IM Used

Instead of sending the whole thing again, the server sent the changes needed to update what you already have.