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HTTP Header
Accept-Encoding
RequestIndicates which content encodings the client can understand.
HTTP header reference, syntax, examples, and developer usage.
What is the Accept-Encoding header?
The Accept-Encoding HTTP header is used to transmit metadata between a client and server as part of HTTP requests or responses.
HTTP headers define how content should be interpreted, cached, authenticated, secured, or processed by browsers and APIs.
Direction
This is a request header sent by the client to the server.
Syntax
Accept-Encoding: gzip, br
Example
Accept-Encoding: gzip, br
Common use cases
- Compressed responses
- Improved performance
- Bandwidth reduction
Common mistakes
- Using the header in the wrong request or response context
- Sending invalid header values
- Incorrect header syntax
- Assuming the header automatically changes server behaviour