What class of response is HTTP 413?

HTTP 413 is a 4xx Client Error response. These indicate a client-side error.

How do I fix HTTP 413 Content Too Large?

HTTP 413 is a client error. Verify the request URL, method, headers, and body are correct. Consult the API documentation for the endpoint.

Is HTTP 413 an error?

Yes, HTTP 413 is an error — specifically a 4xx Client Error code.

HTTP 413 Content Too Large: What It Means and When You See It

Quick Answer

HTTP 413 Content Too Large means the request body is larger than the server is willing or able to process. Common when uploading files that exceed the server limit.

Why HTTP 413 Occurs

HTTP 413 Content Too Large (formerly "Request Entity Too Large") means the uploaded file or request body exceeds the server's limit. Common in file uploads, large JSON payloads, and batch API requests. Default limits: nginx 1MB (client_max_body_size), Express 100kb (json() middleware), and most cloud functions 6-10MB. The Retry-After header is not typically used - the client must reduce the request size.

Fixing HTTP 413 Errors

For servers (nginx): set client_max_body_size 50m in the server block. Express.js: app.use(express.json({ limit: "10mb" })). Next.js API routes: export const config = { api: { bodyParser: { sizeLimit: "10mb" } } }. For clients: compress files before upload, split large payloads into smaller chunks, or use multipart upload (S3, GCS). For user-generated content, validate file size on the client before sending.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Values

100

HTTP 100 Continue means the server has received the request headers and the client should proceed to send the request body. It is an interim response used to inform the client to continue.

101

HTTP 101 Switching Protocols indicates the server is switching to the protocol specified in the Upgrade header field. Commonly used when upgrading to WebSocket connections.

200

HTTP 200 OK is the standard success response. The request has succeeded and the server has returned the requested resource in the response body.

201

HTTP 201 Created means the request succeeded and a new resource was created as a result. The Location header typically points to the new resource URL.