# Returning HTTP Status Codes: an overview

Why the default status codes (200 on success, 500 on any error) aren't enough, shown by a request for a category that doesn't exist and still gets 200.

![Cheat sheet: Returning HTTP Status Codes: an overview](https://fsdtrainingmedia.blob.core.windows.net/public/images/2026/11/029e2c1c5ef54edcbe3d72efe9f7dacf.webp)

- Category: Spring Boot
- Level: Apprentice
- Tags: rest-api, Spring Boot
- Updated: November 3, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/cheat-sheets/returning-http-status-codes-an-overview-cheat-sheet