APITester| Status code | 300 |
|---|---|
| Status text | Multiple Choices |
| Category | 3xx Redirection |
| Response has body | Usually |
| Specification | RFC 9110 |
What does 300 Multiple Choices mean?
The resource has more than one representation, and the server is leaving the choice to the client. It belongs to the 3xx Redirection class, which means further action is needed to complete the request, usually following a different URL.
When do APIs return 300?
Rare in practice. A server that holds the same document in several formats or languages may answer 300 with a list of alternatives in the body, and a Location header naming the one it prefers. Most APIs settle the question with the Accept header and never send it.
How to fix a 300 Multiple Choices
If there is a Location header, follow it; clients that follow redirects do so automatically. Otherwise pick one of the URLs listed in the body. To avoid the round trip, send an Accept header that names the format you want, so the server has nothing left to ask.
Reproduce a 300 response
The fastest way to understand a status code is to trigger one and read the full response. Open the
API tester and send a request to https://httpbin.org/status/300 — you will
see the 300 status along with every response header the server sent. Comparing those headers against
a working request is often what reveals the cause.
When you are debugging a real endpoint, check the response headers as carefully as the body, and confirm you are using the right HTTP method for the operation.
Related 3xx status codes
301 Moved Permanently
The resource has permanently moved to the URL in the Location header.
302 Found
The resource is temporarily at a different URL, but future requests should still use the original.
303 See Other
The response to the request can be found at another URL, and should be retrieved with GET.
304 Not Modified
The cached copy the client already has is still valid, so no body is sent.
307 Temporary Redirect
Like 302, but the HTTP method and body must be preserved when following the redirect.
308 Permanent Redirect
Like 301, but the method and body must be preserved.
See also
- 301 Moved Permanently — The resource has permanently moved to the URL in the Location header.
- 302 Found — The resource is temporarily at a different URL, but future requests should still use the original.
References
- RFC 9110, 300 Multiple Choices — The specification that defines this status code.
- MDN: 300 Multiple Choices — MDN's reference page for this status code.