404 pages may be the last thing on your mind when creating your website. Although it’s something you don’t want your site visitors to see, they’re an essential part of your web design. Crafting the best 404 error page can be beneficial to your brand as well as you as a designer.

We’ve all experienced browsing a website and stumbling upon a 404 page. It leaves you with nowhere to go, resulting in a broken experience. It can also confuse and frustrate you. However, some 404 error pages are the complete opposite. Some are a continuation of the story of a brand. Others can even surprise or make you laugh.

Today, more and more websites incorporate clever 404 error pages that have stunning designs and brilliant UX. It’s a fantastic way to lighten the mood of your audience when they find themselves stuck on the wrong page. So if you’re looking for ways to make your 404 page unique and entertaining, here are some examples you can use as inspiration.