☕ HTTP 418 – I'm a Teapot

? Quick Overview

HTTP status code 418 – I'm a Teapot is a humorous response code defined in an April Fools' RFC. It indicates that the server refuses to brew coffee because it is, quite literally, a teapot.

? Key Concepts

Part of the HTTP status code family
Introduced as a joke in an RFC
Never intended for serious production use
Often used as an easter egg by developers

? Syntax / Theory

HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers returned by servers to indicate the result of a request. The 418 code belongs to the 4xx Client Error category, even though its meaning is intentionally absurd.

? Code Example(s)

? View Code Example

// Example of sending HTTP 418 from a Node.js server
const http = require("http");

http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.writeHead(418, { "Content-Type": "text/plain" });
  res.end("I'm a teapot ☕");
}).listen(3000);

? Live Output / Explanation

Server Response

When a client accesses this server, it receives a 418 status code along with the message "I'm a teapot ☕", demonstrating how custom status codes can be sent.

? Interactive Example

? View Code Example

// Simulate an HTTP 418 response in the browser
function simulateTeapot() {
  const output = document.getElementById("teapotOutput");
  
  output.textContent = "Brewing...";
  
  setTimeout(() => {
    output.textContent = "Error 418: I'm a teapot ☕";
    output.style.color = "var(--danger)";
  }, 1000);
}

Click the button below to attempt brewing coffee on this server:

? Use Cases

Teaching HTTP status codes in a fun way
Adding easter eggs to APIs
Testing client-side error handling
Developer humor and demos

✅ Tips & Best Practices

Do not use HTTP 418 in real-world APIs
Stick to standard status codes for production
Use it only for demos, jokes, or learning

? Try It Yourself

Create a small server that returns different HTTP status codes
Handle a 418 response on the frontend
Replace the message with your own fun text