# 414 URI Too Long

> https://http-status.org/docs/414

**Family:** 4xx Client Error

## Rationale

The URI is longer than the server is willing to interpret.

## In Plain Terms

The web address (URL) you're using is too long for me to handle. Please make it shorter or use a different method.

## Description

The HTTP 414 URI Too Long status code indicates that the server is refusing to service the request because the request-target is longer than the server is willing to interpret.

## Server Perspective

### Usage
- Return 414 for oversized query strings, paths, or encoded request targets
- Use it when the problem is the request-target itself rather than the body or headers
- URL exceeds server's length limits
- Query strings with too many parameters
- Very long paths or resource identifiers
- URLs with excessive encoded characters

### Implementation
- Document URI length constraints when clients commonly generate long filter or search URLs
- Recommend POST or another request shape if the workflow naturally exceeds safe URI lengths

### Common Headers
- No status-specific header is required; still send normal HTTP metadata such as Content-Type, caching, or tracing headers when they help the client.

### Body
- Optionally explain the URI length limit or point clients to a POST/search endpoint when one exists.

### Pitfalls
- Do not use 414 for oversized headers or bodies
- Do not let unbounded client-generated query strings grow without guardrails
- Request body too large (use 413 Content Too Large)
- Headers too large (use 431 Request Header Fields Too Large)
- Bad URL format (use 400 Bad Request)

## Client Perspective

### Pitfalls
- Do not confuse 414 with payload-size or header-size failures

## Examples

### Query string too long

Query parameters exceed server's URL length limit

**Request:**
```
GET https://api.example.test/api/search
```

**Response:**
```
414 URI Too Long
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "error": "uri_too_long"
}
```

## Related Codes

- [400 Bad Request](/docs/400.md)
- [413 Content Too Large](/docs/413.md)