# COPY method

> Copies a resource from its current location to the URI given in the Destination header, in WebDAV.

Source: https://apiguide.dev/methods/copy
Safe: no
Idempotent: yes
Cacheable: no
Defined in: RFC 4918, Section 9.8 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4918.html#section-9.8>
Updated: 2026-07-10

## What is the COPY method?

The `COPY` method is a WebDAV extension (RFC 4918) used by clients to duplicate a resource, placing a copy at the URI named in the `Destination` header.

## API Usage & Best Practices

* **Set the Destination**: Always supply the `Destination` header naming the target URI for the copy.
* **Control overwrites**: Use the `Overwrite` header to decide whether an existing resource at the destination may be replaced.
* **Mind the depth**: For collections, the `Depth` header determines whether only the collection or its full tree is copied.

## Common Response Codes

* **201 Created**: The copy was created at a previously empty destination.
* **204 No Content**: An existing destination resource was overwritten by the copy.
* **207 Multi-Status**: Reports per-member results when copying a collection partially fails.