browserutils

HTTP Methods Reference

HTTP methods (GET, POST, etc.) reference

HTTP Methods Reference is a free online tool from BrowserUtils that http methods (get, post, etc.) reference. It runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No account required.

GETSafeIdempotent

Retrieve a representation of the specified resource. GET requests should only retrieve data and have no side effects.

Use cases:Fetching a web page, API data retrieval, loading images
POSTHas Body

Submit data to be processed by the specified resource. Often used to create new resources or trigger actions.

Use cases:Creating a new user, submitting a form, uploading a file
PUTIdempotentHas Body

Replace the entire target resource with the request payload. If the resource does not exist, it may be created.

Use cases:Updating a user profile (full replacement), uploading a file to a specific path
PATCHHas Body

Apply partial modifications to a resource. Unlike PUT, only the specified fields are updated.

Use cases:Updating a single field like email address, toggling a setting
DELETEIdempotent

Delete the specified resource.

Use cases:Removing a user account, deleting a blog post, clearing cache
HEADSafeIdempotent

Same as GET but returns only the response headers, not the body. Used to check resource existence or metadata.

Use cases:Checking if a URL exists, getting content length before download
OPTIONSSafeIdempotent

Describes the communication options for the target resource. Used in CORS preflight requests.

Use cases:CORS preflight checks, discovering supported methods for an API endpoint
TRACESafeIdempotent

Performs a message loop-back test along the path to the target resource. Used for debugging.

Use cases:Diagnosing proxy behavior, debugging request transformations
CONNECT

Establishes a tunnel to the server identified by the target resource. Used for HTTPS through HTTP proxies.

Use cases:Setting up SSL/TLS tunnels through proxies

Related guides

CheatsheetHTTP Status Codes — Complete Reference GuideGlossaryWhat is REST API?

How to use HTTP Methods Reference

  1. 1 Paste or type your input into the editor above.
  2. 2 The tool processes your data instantly — right in your browser, with nothing sent to a server.
  3. 3 Copy the result with one click or continue editing your input.

About HTTP Methods Reference

Free online HTTP methods reference. Browse all HTTP request methods including GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH, and more with detailed descriptions and use cases. This tool runs entirely in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Just paste your input, get instant results, and copy with one click. No sign-up or installation required.

HTTP Methods Reference specs

Runtime
100% client-side (browser)
Built on
WHATWG URL API and Headers/Fetch standards as implemented by modern browsers
Cost
Free — no account, no rate limits, no usage caps
Browser support
Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+
Part of
299 developer tools on BrowserUtils (100% client-side)

Questions

What are the most common HTTP methods?
The most common HTTP methods are GET (retrieve data), POST (submit data), PUT (replace a resource), PATCH (partially update a resource), and DELETE (remove a resource). HEAD and OPTIONS are also widely used.
What is the difference between PUT and PATCH?
PUT replaces the entire resource with the provided data (full update), while PATCH applies partial modifications to the resource. PUT is idempotent and requires sending the complete resource representation.
What does idempotent mean for HTTP methods?
An idempotent method produces the same result whether you call it once or multiple times. GET, PUT, and DELETE are idempotent, while POST is not because each call may create a new resource.
When should I use POST vs PUT in a REST API?
Use POST to create a new resource when the server assigns the ID. Use PUT to create or replace a resource at a specific known URL. PUT is idempotent, so repeating it has no additional effect.
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<iframe src="https://www.browserutils.dev/embed/http-methods-reference" width="100%" height="500" frameborder="0" title="HTTP Methods Reference"></iframe>

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