---
type: api
title: Ping the cluster
description: Get information about whether the cluster is running.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch-serverless/operation/operation-ping
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch-serverless/operation/operation-ping
products:
  - Elasticsearch Serverless
---

# Ping the cluster

## Paths

- `HEAD` `/`

## Description

Get information about whether the cluster is running.

## Authentication

- Api key: `Authorization: <value>`
  Elasticsearch APIs use key-based authentication.
  You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
  For example:
  
  
  ```
  curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
    -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
  ```
  
  For more information about where to find API keys for the Elasticsearch endpoint (${ES_URL}) for a project, go to [Get started with Elasticsearch Serverless](https://www.elastic.co/docs/solutions/search/serverless-elasticsearch-get-started).

## Response

`application/json`

## Code examples

#### Console

```console
HEAD /
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X HEAD "${ELASTICSEARCH_URL}/" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
```