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HTTP Header
Transfer-Encoding
ResponseSpecifies the form of encoding used to safely transfer the message body.
HTTP header reference, syntax, examples, and developer usage.
What is the Transfer-Encoding header?
The Transfer-Encoding 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 response header sent by the server to the client.
Syntax
Transfer-Encoding: chunked
Example
Transfer-Encoding: chunked
Common use cases
- Chunked responses
- Streaming content
- Sending data without known full length
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