HTTPREF
← Back to headers

HTTP Header

Referer

Request

Indicates the address of the previous web page from which the current request originated.

HTTP header reference, syntax, examples, and developer usage.

What is the Referer header?

The Referer HTTP header is used to transmit metadata between a client and server as part of HTTP requests or responses.

HTTP headers define how content should be interpreted, cached, authenticated, secured, or processed by browsers and APIs.

Direction

This is a request header sent by the client to the server.

Syntax

Referer: <url>

Example

Referer: https://example.com/blog

Common use cases

  • Traffic attribution
  • Basic analytics
  • Security filtering

Common mistakes

  • Using the header in the wrong request or response context
  • Sending invalid header values
  • Incorrect header syntax
  • Assuming the header automatically changes server behaviour

Related headers