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HTTP 202 — Accepted

✅ HTTP 202 — Accepted

? Quick Overview

The 202 Accepted HTTP status code indicates that the server has received and understood the request, but the request has not yet been acted upon. Processing will occur asynchronously.

? Key Concepts

  • The request is valid and successfully received
  • The action is queued or scheduled for later processing
  • No guarantee that the request will be completed
  • Common in background jobs and async APIs

? Syntax / Theory

A 202 Accepted response is usually returned when the server cannot immediately return a final result. It is often used with job queues, long-running tasks, or event-driven systems.

? Code Example(s)

? View Code Example
// Node.js Express example returning HTTP 202
res.status(202).json({
  message: "Request accepted for processing"
});

? Live Output / Explanation

Server Response

The server confirms that the request is valid and queued. Actual processing happens later, often tracked via another endpoint.

? Interactive / Visual Flow

Click the button below to simulate an asynchronous request.

Waiting for request...
// Server logs will appear here...

? Use Cases

  • File uploads with background processing
  • Email sending services
  • Payment or order processing systems
  • Batch data imports

? Tips & Best Practices

  • Provide a status endpoint for tracking progress
  • Return a job ID or reference token
  • Document async behavior clearly in APIs

? Try It Yourself

  • Create an API that queues tasks and returns 202
  • Add a polling endpoint to check task status
  • Simulate delayed processing using timers