Retry-After
Response headers
Says when to try again; it accompanies a 429 or a 503.
| On the wire | Retry-After: … |
|---|---|
| Category | Response headers |
Headers the server attaches when it answers.
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 Retry-After mean?
Says when to try again; it accompanies a 429 or a 503.
Q. What does Retry-After look like on the wire?
It travels as Retry-After: …
Q. Where does Retry-After appear?
In response headers.
Q. What group does Retry-After belong to?
The response headers group; the rest of that group is listed further down.