String urlString = "http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/novels/downloads/Heroes_novel_001.pdf"; URL url = new URL(urlString); if(/* Url does not return 404 */) { System.out.println("exists"); } else { System.out.println("does not exists"); } urlString = "http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/novels/downloads/Heroes_novel_190.pdf"; url = new URL(urlString); if(/* Url does not return 404 */) { System.out.println("exists"