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HTTP 405 Method Not Allowed means the server recognizes the request method, but the specific resource does not allow that method. For example, an endpoint may accept GET but reject POST. Check the request method and the response’s Allow header first; that header must list the methods the resource currently supports.
What does HTTP 405 mean?
HTTP 405 is a client error indicating a mismatch between the method in the request and the target resource. The server knows the method, but that resource does not support it. The definition appears in RFC 9110, section 15.5.6, the HTTP Semantics standard published by the Internet Engineering Task Force in June 2022.
HTTP methods describe the operation a client is requesting. Common examples include GET to retrieve a resource, POST to submit data, PUT to replace a resource, PATCH to make a partial change, and DELETE to remove one. A URL alone does not determine whether a request is valid: the method must also be supported for that resource.
What should an Allow header tell you?
A 405 response must include an Allow header listing the methods currently supported by the target resource. For example, Allow: GET, HEAD, PUT indicates the methods advertised for that resource. See RFC 9110, section 10.2.1 and MDN’s Allow header reference.
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The list is specific to the resource and may change dynamically. General-purpose servers must support GET and HEAD, but other methods are optional; that does not mean every resource on a server must accept every method the server can handle.
How to troubleshoot a 405 error
- Check the method actually sent. Inspect the request in the client, browser developer tools, API tool, or application logs. Confirm whether it sent
GET,POST,PUT,PATCH,DELETE, or another method. A client or application may send a different method than you intended. - Read the response’s Allow header. Compare its method list with the method you sent. The list applies to the requested resource, not necessarily every endpoint on the same site.
- Check the endpoint’s documentation and intended operation. Confirm that the URL and method are meant to be used together. Retrying the same request or changing the URL at random may not address a method/resource mismatch.
- If you administer the site or API, inspect routing and configuration. Verify that the route maps to the intended resource and that its configuration permits the method. If the method should be allowed, check server-side permissions as well: MDN notes that improper file or directory permissions can cause a 405 in some cases, but this is not a universal cause. See MDN’s 405 reference.
405 vs. 501: what is the difference?
The key distinction is whether the server recognizes and implements the method, or whether the method is supported for this particular resource. RFC 9110 and MDN describe the difference as follows:
| Status | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
405 Method Not Allowed |
The method is known, but the target resource does not permit it. | Compare the request method with the resource’s Allow header and intended operation. |
501 Not Implemented |
The server does not recognize or implement the request method. | Check whether the method is supported by the server or client integration. See MDN’s 501 reference. |
In short, a 405 is about a known method not being allowed for this resource; a 501 is about a method the server does not recognize or implement.
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