diff --git a/docs/spec/api.md b/docs/spec/api.md
index 60ce1864..3971e209 100644
--- a/docs/spec/api.md
+++ b/docs/spec/api.md
@@ -1573,10 +1573,10 @@ The following parameters should be specified on the request:
 
 
 
-###### On Success: Accepted
+###### On Success: Created
 
 ```
-202 Accepted
+201 Created
 Location: <url>
 Content-Length: 0
 Docker-Content-Digest: <digest>
diff --git a/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go b/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
index 635cb7f9..74bdb9f2 100644
--- a/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
+++ b/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ var routeDescriptors = []RouteDescriptor{
 						Successes: []ResponseDescriptor{
 							{
 								Description: "The manifest has been accepted by the registry and is stored under the specified `name` and `tag`.",
-								StatusCode:  http.StatusAccepted,
+								StatusCode:  http.StatusCreated,
 								Headers: []ParameterDescriptor{
 									{
 										Name:        "Location",
diff --git a/registry/handlers/api_test.go b/registry/handlers/api_test.go
index c73cbdc7..4b16127f 100644
--- a/registry/handlers/api_test.go
+++ b/registry/handlers/api_test.go
@@ -810,7 +810,7 @@ func testManifestAPI(t *testing.T, env *testEnv, args manifestArgs) (*testEnv, m
 	checkErr(t, err, "building manifest url")
 
 	resp = putManifest(t, "putting signed manifest", manifestURL, signedManifest)
-	checkResponse(t, "putting signed manifest", resp, http.StatusAccepted)
+	checkResponse(t, "putting signed manifest", resp, http.StatusCreated)
 	checkHeaders(t, resp, http.Header{
 		"Location":              []string{manifestDigestURL},
 		"Docker-Content-Digest": []string{dgst.String()},
@@ -819,7 +819,7 @@ func testManifestAPI(t *testing.T, env *testEnv, args manifestArgs) (*testEnv, m
 	// --------------------
 	// Push by digest -- should get same result
 	resp = putManifest(t, "putting signed manifest", manifestDigestURL, signedManifest)
-	checkResponse(t, "putting signed manifest", resp, http.StatusAccepted)
+	checkResponse(t, "putting signed manifest", resp, http.StatusCreated)
 	checkHeaders(t, resp, http.Header{
 		"Location":              []string{manifestDigestURL},
 		"Docker-Content-Digest": []string{dgst.String()},
diff --git a/registry/handlers/images.go b/registry/handlers/images.go
index 452dffaf..01f9b7a2 100644
--- a/registry/handlers/images.go
+++ b/registry/handlers/images.go
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func (imh *imageManifestHandler) PutImageManifest(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http
 
 	w.Header().Set("Location", location)
 	w.Header().Set("Docker-Content-Digest", imh.Digest.String())
-	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusAccepted)
+	w.WriteHeader(http.StatusCreated)
 }
 
 // DeleteImageManifest removes the manifest with the given digest from the registry.