← Back to headers
HTTP Header
Content-Encoding
ResponseIndicates what additional encoding has been applied to the response body.
HTTP header reference, syntax, examples, and developer usage.
What is the Content-Encoding header?
The Content-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 response header sent by the server to the client.
Syntax
Content-Encoding: gzip
Example
Content-Encoding: br
Common use cases
- Compressed API responses
- Compressed HTML, JS, and CSS
- Bandwidth optimization
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