What does HTTP status 205 (Reset Content) mean?

HTTP_STATUS_RESET_CONTENT

This status is intended for workflows such as data-entry forms: the server completed the operation and asks the client to restore the form or document view to its original state.

Like 204, a 205 response must not contain a message body. Applications should not interpret it as a request to reload unrelated resources or repeat the completed operation.

RFC 9110: HTTP Semantics

Operational meaning of HTTP 205 for HTTP_STATUS_RESET_CONTENT

HTTP 205 (this result) is a successful response. AllStat records its meaning as “205 Reset Content”. Interpret it with the request method, selected representation, response headers, and the specification or product that defines the code; the number alone does not prove that application work completed.

Client and server handling

• Verify what work the response representation says was completed; this result can still describe asynchronous or partial handling.
• use validators, location/status links, and application identifiers supplied by the server.
• do not retry a non-idempotent request merely because the client did not understand the response body.

For telemetry, record HTTP 205, method, authority, route template rather than secrets, response headers relevant to caching or retry, latency, upstream identity, and whether the response originated at the application or an intermediary.

Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.