HTTP Status Codes are standardized three-digit numbers returned by a web server to indicate the result of a client’s request. Introduced with the HTTP/1.0 specification in 1996, they categorize responses into five classes: 1xx (informational), 2xx (success), 3xx (redirection), 4xx (client error), and 5xx (server error). For example, 200 OK signals a successful request, 404 Not Found indicates a missing resource, and 500 Internal Server Error reflects server-side failure. Status codes provide a machine-readable way to convey request outcomes, guide client behavior, and troubleshoot web applications. They are fundamental in HTTP communication, forming the backbone of error handling, redirection, and protocol compliance for web services and APIs.