408 Request Timeout | HTTP Status Code

Explanation

The 408 (Request Timeout) status code indicates that the server did not receive a complete request message within the time that it was prepared to wait. The server SHOULD send this response if it decides to close the connection without receiving the entire request from the client.

This status typically occurs when a network connection is used very infrequently, and a stateful protocol like TCP is being used. The connection may have been terminated by the server, and subsequent requests from the client may need to be reconnected.

Unlike many other status codes, it's common for a 408 response to be generated by a gateway or load balancer rather than the origin server.

Example Response

HTTP/1.1 408 Request Timeout
Connection: close
Content-Type: text/html

<html>
<head>
<title>Request Timeout</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Request Timeout</h1>
<p>The server timed out waiting for the request.</p>
</body>
</html>

Related Status Codes

504 504 Gateway Timeout