# Check if manifest exists


[API catalog](/reference/api/) · [Registry overview](/reference/api/registry/latest/) · [Product manual](https://docs.docker.com/docker-hub/repos/) · [OpenAPI specification](/reference/api/registry/latest.yaml)

API version: 2



`HEAD /v2/{name}/manifests/{reference}`

Use this endpoint to verify whether a manifest exists by tag or digest.

This is a lightweight operation that returns only headers (no body). It is useful for:
- Checking for the existence of a specific image version
- Determining the digest or size of a manifest before downloading or deleting

This endpoint requires authentication with pull scope.

Use the `Accept` header to select the manifest representation. Supported media types:

- `application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json`
- `application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.list.v2+json`
- `application/vnd.oci.image.manifest.v1+json`
- `application/vnd.oci.image.index.v1+json`


## Connection and access

[API connection and authentication guidance](/reference/api/registry/latest/#authentication)


Server: `https://registry-1.docker.io`

Effective security: alternatives are OR; schemes within an alternative are AND. An empty array declares no HTTP authentication requirement.

```json
[
  {
    "registryToken": []
  }
]
```
## Example request

Replace placeholders and provide the required credentials or request body.

```console
curl \
  --head \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer ${REGISTRY_TOKEN}" \
  --header 'Accept: application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json' \
  'https://registry-1.docker.io/v2/library%2Fubuntu/manifests/<REFERENCE>'
```

## Parameters

### name

Location: path. Required: yes.

Name of the Repository

```json
{
  "description": "Name of the Repository",
  "example": "library/ubuntu",
  "in": "path",
  "name": "name",
  "pointer": "/paths/~1v2~1{name}~1manifests~1{reference}/head/parameters/0",
  "required": true,
  "schema": {
    "type": "string"
  }
}
```

### reference

Location: path. Required: yes.

Tag or digest to check

```json
{
  "description": "Tag or digest to check",
  "examples": {
    "by-digest": {
      "summary": "Digest",
      "value": "sha256:abc123def456..."
    },
    "by-tag": {
      "summary": "Tag",
      "value": "latest"
    }
  },
  "in": "path",
  "name": "reference",
  "pointer": "/paths/~1v2~1{name}~1manifests~1{reference}/head/parameters/1",
  "required": true,
  "schema": {
    "type": "string"
  }
}
```

## Request and responses

### Response 200 

Manifest exists.

No response content is declared.




Headers:

```json
{
  "Content-Length": {
    "description": "Size of the manifest in bytes",
    "example": 7082,
    "schema": {
      "type": "integer"
    }
  },
  "Content-Type": {
    "description": "Media type of the manifest",
    "example": "application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json",
    "schema": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "Docker-Content-Digest": {
    "description": "Digest of the manifest",
    "example": "sha256:abc123...",
    "schema": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  }
}
```



### Response 401 

Authentication required.

No response content is declared.






### Response 403 

Access denied.

No response content is declared.






### Response 404 

Manifest not found.

No response content is declared.






### Response 429 

Too many requests.

No response content is declared.






## Complete operation contract

```json
{
  "description": "Use this endpoint to verify whether a manifest exists by tag or digest.\n\nThis is a lightweight operation that returns only headers (no body). It is useful for:\n- Checking for the existence of a specific image version\n- Determining the digest or size of a manifest before downloading or deleting\n\nThis endpoint requires authentication with pull scope.\n\nUse the `Accept` header to select the manifest representation. Supported media types:\n\n- `application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json`\n- `application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.list.v2+json`\n- `application/vnd.oci.image.manifest.v1+json`\n- `application/vnd.oci.image.index.v1+json`\n",
  "operationId": "HeadImageManifest",
  "parameters": [
    {
      "description": "Name of the Repository",
      "example": "library/ubuntu",
      "in": "path",
      "name": "name",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    {
      "description": "Tag or digest to check",
      "examples": {
        "by-digest": {
          "summary": "Digest",
          "value": "sha256:abc123def456..."
        },
        "by-tag": {
          "summary": "Tag",
          "value": "latest"
        }
      },
      "in": "path",
      "name": "reference",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  ],
  "responses": {
    "200": {
      "description": "Manifest exists.",
      "headers": {
        "Content-Length": {
          "description": "Size of the manifest in bytes",
          "example": 7082,
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "Content-Type": {
          "description": "Media type of the manifest",
          "example": "application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "Docker-Content-Digest": {
          "description": "Digest of the manifest",
          "example": "sha256:abc123...",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "401": {
      "description": "Authentication required."
    },
    "403": {
      "description": "Access denied."
    },
    "404": {
      "description": "Manifest not found."
    },
    "429": {
      "description": "Too many requests."
    }
  },
  "summary": "Check if manifest exists",
  "tags": [
    "Manifests"
  ],
  "x-codeSamples": [
    {
      "label": "cURL",
      "lang": "Bash",
      "source": "# HEAD /v2/{name}/manifests/{reference}\ncurl -I \\\n  -H \"Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN\" \\\n  -H \"Accept: application/vnd.docker.distribution.manifest.v2+json\" \\\n  https://registry-1.docker.io/v2/library/ubuntu/manifests/latest\n"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Referenced schemas