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HTTP Request Header

Definition - What does HTTP Request Header mean?

An HTTP request header is a component of a network packet sent by a browser or client to the server to request for a specific page or data on the Web server. It is used in Web communications or Internet browsing to transport user requests to the corresponding website’s Web server.

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Techopedia explains HTTP Request Header

An HTTP request header primarily enables a user in accessing a website. Each time a user website or webpage in a browser, an HTTP request header is generated by the browser and is sent to the website / Web server. Typically, the information within the HTTP request header is in form of plain text record of data/page request made by the user. Some of the information within an HTTP request header includes:

  • Source IP address and port number
  • Requested URI (data or web page)
  • Host (Destination website or web server)
  • Type of data the browser will accept in return (text, html, xml etc)
  • User’s browser type (Mozilla, Chrome, IE) so that the Web server can send compatible data

In response, the Web server/host sends back an HTTP response header containing the requested data.

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