What is HTTP Response Status Code 413 Payload Too Large?
HTTP response status code 413 Payload Too Large indicates that the request body is too large for the server to process. This could be due to server limits or constraints defined by the application.
This status code is encountered when the client sends data that exceeds the server’s maximum allowed size for a particular resource, such as a file upload.
The server may specify the maximum size allowed in the response, giving the client an opportunity to adjust the request size and try again.
413 is especially relevant for APIs and web applications that handle large data uploads, as it helps to manage server capacity and prevent server overload.
Example 1: Uploading a Large File
# Client tries to upload a file that is too large.
POST /upload HTTP/1.1
Host: www.example.com
Content-Type: application/octet-stream
Content-Length: 10485760
# Server Response
HTTP/1.1 413 Payload Too Large
Date: Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:20:00 GMT
Server: Apache/2.4.41 (Ubuntu)
{
"error": "The uploaded file exceeds the 5MB size limit."
}
Example 2: Large JSON Payload
# Client sends
Example 2: Large JSON Payload
# Client sends a POST request with a JSON payload that is too large.
POST /api/data HTTP/1.1
Host: api.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
Content-Length: 10485760
{
"data": "Very large JSON data that exceeds server limits..."
}
# Server Response
HTTP/1.1 413 Payload Too Large
Date: Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:25:00 GMT
Server: Nginx/1.18.0
{
"error": "The JSON payload size exceeds the allowed limit of 2MB."
}
Summary
The HTTP 413 Payload Too Large status code is used when the size of the request body exceeds the server’s capacity or the defined application limits. It informs the client that the payload needs to be reduced in size before the request can be processed.
This status code is particularly useful in scenarios where users upload files or send large JSON data, helping to prevent server strain and maintain performance by ensuring that data transfers remain within acceptable limits.
Servers may include information in the response about the maximum allowed payload size, guiding clients on how to adjust their request size. This can enhance user experience by making it clear why the request was rejected and how to correct it.
Handling 413 errors properly allows web applications to maintain scalability and reliability by managing the data load sent by clients, especially in high-traffic environments or applications that handle large files.
