Asks the server about communication options for the target resource; the Allow header lists supported methods.
Quick facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Safe (does not modify state) | Yes |
| Idempotent (repeatable) | Yes |
| Cacheable | No |
Description
Asks the server about communication options for the target resource; the Allow header lists supported methods.
Example
curl -X OPTIONS -i https://api.example.com/users/1
Request example
OPTIONS /api/users/1 HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com
OPTIONS vs GET
| OPTIONS | GET |
|---|---|
| Discover allowed methods | Retrieve a representation |
| Usually no body | Returns a body |
All HTTP methods
Frequently asked questions
OPTIONS is a safe method — it does not change resource state on the server.
OPTIONS is idempotent — repeated requests have the same effect as a single request.
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-09-13
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Related status codes
Related headers
about this tool
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