Glossary · Web tech

HTTP/2

Also calledhttp 2http/2 protocol

Definition

HTTP/2 is the second major version of the HTTP protocol — it multiplexes multiple requests over a single TCP connection for faster page loads.

Explanation

In depth

HTTP/1.1 (from 1997) required a separate TCP connection per parallel request, which was slow for modern pages that load hundreds of resources. HTTP/2 multiplexes many logical streams over one TCP connection with binary framing, header compression, and server push. HTTP/2 is TLS-only in practice — browsers refuse to speak HTTP/2 over plain HTTP. HTTP/3 (over QUIC/UDP) is the next step, further reducing latency for lossy connections. Web proxies must handle HTTP/2 to keep modern sites responsive — HTTP/1.1 proxies visibly slow down youtube.com and instagram.com. AnyProxy speaks HTTP/2 end-to-end.

Related terms

TLS handshakeThe TLS handshake is the initial exchange between client and server that agrees on encryption keys and verifies the server's identity before any application data flows.HTTPS proxyAn HTTPS proxy is an HTTP proxy that supports the CONNECT method for tunneling encrypted HTTPS traffic to any destination.Edge serverAn edge server is a physical server placed geographically close to end users — the network "edge" — to reduce latency compared to a distant origin.

Put the concept to work

Try AnyProxy free — no install, no signup, six regions.

Open a blocked page