These examples show how brands inject personality, humor, and even helpful features into their error pages – reinforcing their identity and keeping visitors engaged instead of hitting the back button. From playable games to pop culture references, each of these 404 pages offers something special. Enjoy this tour of creative 404 pages and see what makes each one noteworthy!
In this Best of Web round-up, we’re highlighting ten websites that have found unique, creative ways to get us back on the right path.
1. Zapier – A Witty Welcome for the Lost
Zapier’s 404 page greets you with a playful twist on a famous quote: “Not all who wander are lost… but you are.” Ouch! It’s a light-hearted, nerdy nod (a spin on Tolkien’s proverb) that manages to poke fun at your misstep without being mean. The design is clean and simple, dressed in Zapier’s bright orange brand colors. This shows they’ve put thought into even the error page. A clear call-to-action button labeled “Back to Safety” stands out, guiding you back home. Zapier’s approach proves that a little humor and on-brand styling can turn an error into a quick smile while still helping you navigate onward.
2. Kualo – An Arcade Game (with Rewards!)
Web hosting company Kualo takes 404 pages to the next level – literally, it turns theirs into a mini retro video game. Land on Kualo’s error page and you’ll find a Space Invaders-style arcade game you can actually play. As you “avenge” the missing page by blasting pixelated aliens, Kualo keeps you entertained (and far less annoyed about the broken link). Even better, they incentivize the fun: score high and you might see a discount code for Kualo’s services as a reward. It’s an ingenious way to engage visitors—turning a mishap into positive interaction. The quirky combination of 80s nostalgia and a little perk for players makes this 404 page both memorable and effective.
3. DoSomething – Protest-Style Rally Against Broken Links
DoSomething transforms a 404 misfire into an on-brand call to action. A full-width hero photo shows three young activists on a city bridge, raising bold protest signs that read “PAGE NOT FOUND” and “NO MORE BROKEN LINKS.” Below the image, friendly copy says, “Oops. Looks like you’re trying to access a broken link. No problem! Head back to the action.” A prominent button whisks visitors back to the main site. By framing the error as a mini-protest—and keeping the tone upbeat—DoSomething turns a dead end into a rallying cry that perfectly reflects its youth-led advocacy vibe.
4. Plaid – Lost in 404 territory?
Plaid greets wanderers with a cheeky headline—“Lost in 404 territory?”—set against a teal-to-turquoise gradient rippled with topographic lines. A glitch-styled compass, complete with duplicated “404 ERROR” overlays, playfully suggests you’ve veered off course. Supporting copy reassures users that whether they’re “exploring new financial terrain” or just mistyped a URL, Plaid will get them back on track. A soft gradient “Go home” button provides the exit. Clean, modern, and slightly sci-fi, this page turns an error into a mini navigation adventure while keeping Plaid’s sleek fintech aesthetic front and center.
5. Mailchimp – A Quirky “We Lost This Page” Moment
Mailchimp keeps its trademark whimsy but dials the drama way down. Bold header text admits, “We lost this page,” followed by a friendly reassurance that the team “searched high and low” for the missing content. A single bright-yellow “Mailchimp Home” button provides a clear escape route. The hero visual is a delightfully odd, hand-drawn creature (think donkey-meets-dog) poking its head into a black hole—complete with a splash of Mailchimp-pink tongue—to illustrate the search. Minimal copy, plenty of white space, and that quirky illustration combine to create a calm, humorous pause rather than a jarring dead-end.
6. NPR – Good Company for the Lost
National Public Radio’s 404 page is as clever and informative as you’d expect from a media organization. At first glance, it looks pretty standard – a polite message that the page isn’t found. But then comes the witty twist. NPR lists a few other things that can’t be found, humorously suggesting you’re in good company. The list includes legendary missing icons and items: Amelia Earhart, the pilot who disappeared; the Watergate tape gap (those 18½ minutes that vanished from history); Jimmy Hoffa, the missing Teamster boss; even your car keys or Waldo from the “Where’s Waldo?” books. Each item in the tongue-in-cheek list on the NPR 404 page actually links to an NPR story about that mystery – blending content with humor. It’s an educational chuckle and perfectly in line with NPR’s smart, slightly dry sense of humor. By the time you finish reading it, not only have you forgotten your frustration, you might even click one of those links and learn something new.
7. GitHub – Desert Detour to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
GitHub’s 404 drops you onto a cartoon desert inspired by Tatooine. A bold “404” rises behind Octocat, who’s cloaked in Jedi robes and calmly informs you via speech bubble, “This is not the web page you are looking for.” A landspeeder and distant domed huts complete the scene. Directly below, a no-nonsense search bar invites you to find code, projects, or people on GitHub, blending pop-culture charm with practical navigation.
8. LEGO – “OH BRICKS!” and a Panicked Minifigure
LEGO’s 404 page greets you with a giant, tongue-in-cheek headline—“OH BRICKS!”—followed by the straight-to-the-point subhead, “We can’t find this page.” Front and center stands an anxious Emmet-style minifigure, mouth agape, arms flailing as if he’s just stepped on a pile of loose bricks. Supporting copy keeps the puns rolling: “We’ll try not to lose our head over this, but if we do… we’ll put it back on.” A bright-blue “Back to homepage” button sits beneath the text, offering an easy escape. The combination of playful phrasing, expressive character art, and LEGO’s signature bold colors turns a simple error into a fun, brand-perfect moment.
9. Marvel (MarvelApp) – Slot-Machine “Bad Luck” Moment
Marvel App’s 404 keeps things minimal yet playful. Centered on the page is a bright cartoon slot machine GIF that spins to the user’s dismay — the spin wasn’t a winner. The headline reads “Oh no, bad luck!” and the subtext gently explains, “The project you’re looking for could have been deleted or never have existed.” With lots of white space, a friendly pastel color palette, and Marvel’s logo perched above, the page delivers its message quickly while turning a missing link into a lighthearted gamble-gone-wrong.
10. Culture Amp – A Friendly, Human Touch
Culture Amp, a platform focused on employee engagement and culture, uses its 404 page to reflect the company’s friendly and human-centric personality. Instead of techno-babble or a plain “not found” message, you’ll find a gentle apology and a reassurance that “you’re not alone” in being a little lost. The design is clean and modern, possibly featuring a subtle illustration (imagine a confused character looking around for the missing page, or an “out of office” sticky note – something lighthearted). Everything from the wording to the style says: “We care about your experience.” The page likely offers helpful links – back to the homepage, documentation, etc. – spoken in the same caring tone you’d expect from a company all about helping people feel heard. Culture Amp’s 404 made it onto a curated list of great error pages for good reason: it manages to be on-brand (warm and supportive) while guiding the user onward. It’s a small touch that leaves a positive impression, showing that even in its errors, the company focuses on good experience.
