HTTP headers are an essential part of the HTTP protocol, providing metadata about the request or response. They are used to control the behavior of the HTTP transaction and to pass additional information between the client and server.

Common HTTP Headers

Here are some of the most common HTTP headers:

  • Content-Type: Specifies the media type of the response body.
  • Accept: Specifies the media types that the client is willing to accept.
  • Cache-Control: Controls the caching mechanism.
  • Authorization: Contains credentials to authenticate a user.
  • Cookie: Contains session information.

How to Use Headers

Headers can be used in various ways:

  • Content Negotiation: Using Accept and Content-Type headers, the client and server can negotiate the format of the response.
  • Authentication: The Authorization header can be used to authenticate a user.
  • Caching: The Cache-Control header can be used to control how the response is cached.

Useful Resources

For more information on HTTP headers, you can read our detailed guide on HTTP Headers Best Practices.

HTTP Headers Infographic