HTTP Codes
Which code do I return?

414 URI Too Long

I'm not reading all that.

What it properly means

The URI requested by the client is longer than the server is willing to interpret.

Class
4xx Client error: you fucked up
Defined in
RFC 9110, section 15.5.15

Get one yourself

This endpoint really answers with 414. Point your client at it and see what it does.

curl -i https://httpcodes.dev/api/414
Previous: 413 Content Too Large All codes Next: 415 Unsupported Media Type

Proper meanings paraphrased from MDN and RFC 9110. The swearing is ours. Source on GitHub.