# 423 Locked

> The resource that is being accessed is locked.

Source: https://apiguide.dev/status-codes/423
Class: client-error
Defined in: RFC 4918 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4918.html>
Updated: 2026-07-09

## What does HTTP status code 423 mean?

The 423 Locked status code (from WebDAV, RFC 4918) indicates that the target resource is currently locked and cannot be modified.

## When to use it in APIs

Use when a tenant resource has been locked by administrators (due to billing freeze, moderation, etc.) or when a resource is temporarily locked for editing.

## How it compares to other codes

* **403 Forbidden**: A general permission denial. 423 indicates permission is denied specifically because of a lock state.