Understanding HTTP Headers
HTTP headers are metadata sent with HTTP requests and responses that provide important information about the communication. They control caching, security, content type, and more. Understanding headers is essential for web developers, system administrators, and security professionals. Our HTTP Headers Lookup tool helps you view and analyze headers from any website instantly.
Types of HTTP Headers
- Request Headers: Sent by client to server (User-Agent, Accept, Cookie)
- Response Headers: Sent by server to client (Set-Cookie, Cache-Control, Server)
- Entity Headers: Describe the body of message (Content-Type, Content-Length)
- General Headers: Apply to both requests and responses (Date, Connection)
Why HTTP Headers Matter
HTTP headers control critical functions: caching policies reduce server load, security headers prevent attacks like XSS and clickjacking, content negotiation enables proper content delivery, and authentication headers verify user identity. Properly configured headers improve performance, security, and user experience.
Security Headers You Should Know
Strict-Transport-Security: Forces HTTPS and prevents man-in-the-middle attacks. Content-Security-Policy: Prevents XSS attacks by controlling resource loading. X-Frame-Options: Prevents clickjacking by controlling frame embedding. X-Content-Type-Options: Prevents MIME-sniffing attacks. Check these headers on your website to ensure proper security configuration.
Performance Headers for Optimization
Cache-Control: Specifies caching directives and duration. Expires: Sets absolute expiration date/time. ETag: Enables conditional requests to save bandwidth. Vary: Indicates which headers affect cache. Proper cache headers significantly reduce server load and improve page load times.