HTTP 403 Forbidden

HTTP 403 Forbidden indicates a client errors response outcome.

What it means

Forbidden describes how the server processed the request and what the client should do next.

Why it happens

Common triggers include protocol conditions, routing decisions, and application behavior.

Common causes

Malformed request format
Authentication or authorization mismatch
Missing resource or route

How to fix it

Validate request URL, method, and headers
Fix authentication/authorization flow
Correct client payload and retry

Example request/response

GET /example HTTP/1.1
Host: errorlookup.com

HTTP/1.1 403 Forbidden

Browser/dev/server context

Use browser network tools, server logs, and APM traces together when diagnosing HTTP 403.

Related status codes

FAQ

Is HTTP 403 officially assigned?

Yes. This code is assigned in the IANA registry.