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pythonpython-3.xdjangohttp

Using the http.HTTPStatus class in Python to return the meaning of a HTTP status code

I'm trying to write a block of code to return the meaning (description) of an HTTP status code using the http.HTTPStatus Python class. I read the docs, but it seems I can only do the reverse. Is there way I can do this?

try:
    if resp.status != 200:
        message =
Solution

  • This isn't in the HTTPStatus docs because the behavior you are looking for is inherited from Enum. From the documentation, in python, enum:

    uses call syntax to return members by value

    In your example, this can be used like:

    import http

print( http.HTTPStatus(404).name )

    to get:

    'NOT_FOUND'

    EDIT 2025:

    You can also use .phrase or .description

    print( http.HTTPStatus(404).phrase )

    to get it as text without _:

    'Not Found'

    and

    print( http.HTTPStatus(404).description )

    to get longer description:

    'Nothing matches the given URI'

    For your example you can use

    message = http.HTTPStatus(resp.status).description