206 Partial Content
2xx Success
Only the requested slice was sent — this is what makes resumable downloads and video seeking work.
| On the wire | HTTP/1.1 206 Partial Content |
|---|---|
| Code | 206 |
| Is it an error | No — not an error |
| Category | 2xx Success |
The request went through.
How to read this
- The first digit of a status code carries the meaning: 4 means the request, 5 means the server.
- 404 means "not there"; 403 means "there, but not for you". Swapping them makes debugging slower.
- Header names are case-insensitive — Content-Type and content-type are the same header.
- Caching and CORS problems usually come down to one header line, visible in the browser’s network tab.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does HTTP 206 Partial Content mean?
Only the requested slice was sent — this is what makes resumable downloads and video seeking work.
Q. What does 206 Partial Content look like on the wire?
It travels as HTTP/1.1 206 Partial Content
Q. Is 206 Partial Content an error?
No — it is part of a normal exchange, not a failure.
Q. What group does 206 Partial Content belong to?
The 2xx success group; the rest of that group is listed further down.