LOCK Registered Not safe Not idempotent
Verified 2026-09-18 · registry updated 2026-06-17

HTTP LOCK

The registered LOCK request method from the IANA HTTP Method Registry.

LOCK is not safe and not idempotent according to the IANA registry. Use it only when the target protocol defines its semantics and the intermediary chain supports it.

httpmethodsunsafenon-idempotentregistry

Request (http)

LOCK /resource HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

LOCK is a registered extension method rather than a general browser/API default. Its registry properties describe the intended effect, not whether every implementation supports it.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming registration means that browsers, proxies, frameworks, or APIs support the method automatically.

Registry reference: rfc4918

Permalink: https://merginit.com/reference/http/method-lock