index.md

---

title: HTTP request methods
slug: Web/HTTP/Methods
browser-compat: http.methods

---

{{HTTPSidebar}}

HTTP defines a set of request methods to indicate the desired action to be performed for a given resource. Although they can also be nouns, these request methods are sometimes referred to as HTTP verbs. Each of them implements a different semantic, but some common features are shared by a group of them: e.g. a request method can be {{glossary("Safe/HTTP", "safe")}}, {{glossary("idempotent")}}, or {{glossary("cacheable")}}.

• GET

  • : The GET method requests a representation of the specified resource. Requests using GET should only retrieve data.

• HEAD

  • : The HEAD method asks for a response identical to a GET request, but without the response body.

• POST

  • : The POST method submits an entity to the specified resource, often causing a change in state or side effects on the server.

• PUT

  • : The PUT method replaces all current representations of the target resource with the request payload.

• DELETE

  • : The DELETE method deletes the specified resource.

• CONNECT

  • : The CONNECT method establishes a tunnel to the server identified by the target resource.

• OPTIONS

  • : The OPTIONS method describes the communication options for the target resource.

• TRACE

  • : The TRACE method performs a message loop-back test along the path to the target resource.

• PATCH

  • : The PATCH method applies partial modifications to a resource.

Specifications

{{Specifications}}

Browser compatibility

{{Compat}}

See also

• HTTP headers