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414 URI Too Long

? 414 URI Too Long

? Quick Overview

HTTP 414 URI Too Long is a client error response status code indicating that the requested URL exceeds the maximum length accepted by the server. This usually happens when too much data is sent via the URL.

? Key Concepts

  • Occurs when URL length exceeds server limits
  • Common with long query strings
  • Frequently seen in GET requests
  • Handled at the web server or proxy level

? Syntax / Theory

URLs have length limits enforced by browsers, servers, and proxies. When a request URI is longer than what the server allows, it rejects the request with status code 414.

? View Code Example 
// Example of an excessively long GET request URL
GET /search?q=aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

? Live Output / Explanation

The server rejects the request and responds with:

? View Code Example 
// Server response for an oversized URI
HTTP/1.1 414 URI Too Long
Content-Type: text/html

? Interactive Visualization

The diagram below illustrates how URL size grows as query parameters increase.

URL Length Exceeds Server Limit → 414 Error

?️ Interactive Lab: Simulator

Click "Add Data" to simulate a growing URL. Watch the server limit (red line).

 
https://api.site/q?
Status: 200 OK

? Use Cases

  • Large search filters sent via GET
  • Excessive query parameters
  • Improper API request design
  • Unencoded or repeated data in URL

✅ Tips & Best Practices

  • Use POST instead of GET for large payloads
  • Keep URLs clean and minimal
  • Move data to request body when possible
  • Validate URL length in client-side code

? Try It Yourself

  1. Create a GET request with a very long query string
  2. Send it to a test server or API
  3. Observe the 414 response
  4. Refactor the request using POST