300 Multiple Choices

300

Multiple Choices

→

Example HTTP Response

HTTP Response

HTTP/1.1 300 Multiple Choices
Content-Type: application/json

{"choices": ["/doc.pdf", "/doc.html"]}

Common Causes

Resource available in multiple formats
Content negotiation with multiple options
Multiple language versions available

Technical Details

What does this mean?

Pick a door! There are multiple versions of what you're looking for. Choose wisely!

Technical Definition

The request has more than one possible response. The user or user agent should choose one of them.

RFC Says

"The 300 (Multiple Choices) status code indicates that the target resource has more than one representation, each with its own more specific identifier, and information about the alternatives is being provided so that the user (or user agent) can select a preferred representation by redirecting its request to one or more of those identifiers."

Plain English:

The resource you requested is available in multiple formats or versions (like PDF, HTML, different languages). The server is giving you a list to choose from. Rarely used in practice - most servers use content negotiation instead.

View RFC Documentation

Code Snippets

Ready-to-use code for returning this HTTP status in your application:

Node.js

// Express.js
app.get('/example', (req, res) => {
  res.status(300).json({
    error: 'Multiple Choices',
    message: 'Your error message here'
  });
});

// Native HTTP
const http = require('http');

http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.writeHead(300, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' });
  res.end(JSON.stringify({
    error: 'Multiple Choices',
    message: 'Your error message here'
  }));
}).listen(3000);

300 Multiple Choices FAQ

What causes a 300 Multiple Choices error?

Resource available in multiple formats. Content negotiation with multiple options. Multiple language versions available.

// Express.js app.get('/example', (req, res) => { res.status(300).json({ error: 'Multiple Choices', message: 'Your error message here' }); }); // Native HTTP const http = require('http'); http.createServer((req, res) => { res.writeHead(300, { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }); res.end(JSON.stringify({ error: 'Multiple Choices', message: 'Your error message here' })); }).listen(3000);