ErrorFindly
3033xx RedirectionLow

HTTP 303 See Other

Defined in RFC 7231

What Does HTTP 303 Mean?

The server redirects the client to a different resource using a GET request, typically after a POST operation.

Common Causes

  1. 1Post/Redirect/Get pattern after form submission
  2. 2Redirecting to a results page after processing
  3. 3API redirecting to a resource after creation

Impact

  • ⚠Browser redirects to a new page after form submission
  • ⚠Prevents duplicate form submissions on refresh

Developer Fix

For web developers and application engineers

  1. 1Use 303 after POST to implement PRG pattern
  2. 2Ensure redirect target is a GET-accessible resource
  3. 3Handle 303 responses by following with GET request

Server Admin Fix

For system administrators and DevOps engineers

  1. 1Verify POST handlers return 303 with proper Location header
  2. 2Monitor for missing Location headers on 303 responses

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Post/Redirect/Get pattern?
PRG is a web development pattern where after processing a POST form submission, the server responds with 303 redirecting to a GET page. This prevents duplicate submissions when the user refreshes.
How is 303 different from 302?
303 explicitly tells the client to use GET for the redirect, regardless of the original method. 302 is ambiguous about method preservation. Use 303 after POST to ensure a GET redirect.

Related HTTP Status Codes

302Found307Temporary Redirect201Created

About the Author

Web Infrastructure Team

Verified against official RFC specifications and real-world server configurations. HTTP status code behavior confirmed across Apache, Nginx, and Cloudflare.