25 Most Creative 404 Page Design Examples

The purpose of 404 error page is to inform users they have hit a non-existing page. But there is so much more to it. The ultimate goal of this page is to make people feel less uncomfortable about the inconvenience and point them out to other useful pages on your website.

A meaningful and well-designed 404 page should bring viewers back on track, but also echo your brand’s style and enlarge your brand’s values. The results should be visible as a larger number of recurring visitors to your website despite the incovenience.

Here are some essential dos and don’ts of the 404 error page design.

Please do not:

Fill the page only with the basic text saying that the page was not found
Use generic design, placing the information in the upper left corner and leaving the rest of the page blank
Make your 404 page look cold and lifeless

Instead, please do:

Make your 404 page look warm and fuzzy
Design a unique page aligned with your brand’s values, style, tone of voice, etc.
Use custom-made imagery, i.e. illustrations, animations, sketches, comics, gifs, videos, etc.
Write clever, informational, humorous copy
Let the page speak to your visitors in a friendly tone
Let it shine the light on the options for recovery
Point out to other useful pages on your website
Be innovative and keep your visitors engaged

25 Inspired 404 Page Design Examples

If you are not exactly sure how to accomplish all that, or you simply feel a lack of inspiration, here are some of the most creative 404 pages design examples that we have seen around. Devour them all and let your creative juices flow.

Nicolo Miranda 404 not found screenshot — 404 error page on Niccolò Miranda’s website

android 404 page design play game — Android created gamified 404 error page

android 404 error page game — Android game within 404 page

magnt page not found 404 design vene diagram — Magnt’s 404 page design referring to the Venn Diagram

sea harvest 404 page custom illustartion no place like home — Custom illustration on 404 page from Sea Harvest

emirates 404 error page design stuarts photo — Emirates’ 404 error page design

Marvel page not found screenshot — Marvel’s design for 404 page

one shared house page not found design screenshot — One Shared House 404 page design

Pixar Animation Studios 404 inside out — Pixar Animation Studios 404 page referring to the Inside Out movie

Nike React 404 error page creator — Nike React 404 error page with an option for a custom creation

Nike React 404 page Creator — Nike React Creator within the 404 page

BrandCrowd custom skecth 404 error page — BrandCrowd’s custom skecth for 404 error page

404 page design idea by popart studio — 404 page design concept by PopArt Studio

lego 404 page screenshot — Lego 404 page

wetransfer 404 page design — WeTransfer 404 page design

flipping book 404 page custom family illustration — Custom illustration for 404 page on Flipping Book

bluepath map 404 design — BluePath 404 map-related 404 page design

20th Century Fox 404 page video edward scissors hand johnny depp — 20th Century Fox 404 page with a video backround

airbnb 404 page custom gif illustartion — Airbnb 404 page custom gif illustration

How do you like these error pages? Do you have your favorites? Have you stumbled upon some other great examples that you would like to share with us? Please do! Share in comments below or on our Facebook page.