diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2ddb757a..d752ea89 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -359,8 +359,9 @@ There are several ways to adjust functionality of the library:
 1. `ClaimsUpdater` - interface with `Update(claims Claims) Claims` method. This is the primary way to alter a token at login time and add any attributes, set ip, email, admin status, roles and so on.
 1. `Validator` - interface with `Validate(token string, claims Claims) bool` method. This is post-token hook and will be called on **each request** wrapped with `Auth` middleware. This will be the place for special logic to reject some tokens or users.
 1. `UserUpdater` - interface with `Update(claims token.User) token.User` method.  This method will be called on **each request** wrapped with `UpdateUser` middleware. This will be the place for special logic modify User Info in request context. [Example of usage.](https://github.com/go-pkgz/auth/blob/19c1b6d26608494955a4480f8f6165af85b1deab/_example/main.go#L189)
+1. `AuthErrorHTTPHandler` - interface with `ServeAuthError(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, and other params)` method. It is possible to change how authentication errors are written into HTTP responses by configuring custom implementations of this interface for the middlewares.
 
-All of the interfaces above have corresponding Func adapters - `SecretFunc`, `ClaimsUpdFunc`, `ValidatorFunc` and `UserUpdFunc`.
+All of the interfaces above except `AuthErrorHTTPHandler` have corresponding Func adapters - `SecretFunc`, `ClaimsUpdFunc`, `ValidatorFunc` and `UserUpdFunc`.
 
 ### Implementing black list logic or some other filters
 
diff --git a/auth.go b/auth.go
index 5bd9d879..bcdd7d68 100644
--- a/auth.go
+++ b/auth.go
@@ -66,12 +66,13 @@ type Opts struct {
 	AvatarRoutePath   string       // avatar routing prefix, i.e. "/api/v1/avatar", default `/avatar`
 	UseGravatar       bool         // for email based auth (verified provider) use gravatar service
 
-	AdminPasswd      string                   // if presented, allows basic auth with user admin and given password
-	BasicAuthChecker middleware.BasicAuthFunc // user custom checker for basic auth, if one defined then "AdminPasswd" will ignored
-	AudienceReader   token.Audience           // list of allowed aud values, default (empty) allows any
-	AudSecrets       bool                     // allow multiple secrets (secret per aud)
-	Logger           logger.L                 // logger interface, default is no logging at all
-	RefreshCache     middleware.RefreshCache  // optional cache to keep refreshed tokens
+	AdminPasswd          string                          // if presented, allows basic auth with user admin and given password
+	BasicAuthChecker     middleware.BasicAuthFunc        // user custom checker for basic auth, if one defined then "AdminPasswd" will ignored
+	AudienceReader       token.Audience                  // list of allowed aud values, default (empty) allows any
+	AudSecrets           bool                            // allow multiple secrets (secret per aud)
+	Logger               logger.L                        // logger interface, default is no logging at all
+	RefreshCache         middleware.RefreshCache         // optional cache to keep refreshed tokens
+	AuthErrorHTTPHandler middleware.AuthErrorHTTPHandler // optional HTTP handler for authentication errors
 }
 
 // NewService initializes everything
@@ -81,10 +82,11 @@ func NewService(opts Opts) (res *Service) {
 		opts:   opts,
 		logger: opts.Logger,
 		authMiddleware: middleware.Authenticator{
-			Validator:        opts.Validator,
-			AdminPasswd:      opts.AdminPasswd,
-			BasicAuthChecker: opts.BasicAuthChecker,
-			RefreshCache:     opts.RefreshCache,
+			Validator:            opts.Validator,
+			AdminPasswd:          opts.AdminPasswd,
+			BasicAuthChecker:     opts.BasicAuthChecker,
+			RefreshCache:         opts.RefreshCache,
+			AuthErrorHTTPHandler: opts.AuthErrorHTTPHandler,
 		},
 		issuer:      opts.Issuer,
 		useGravatar: opts.UseGravatar,
diff --git a/auth_test.go b/auth_test.go
index 06a3b8aa..73615981 100644
--- a/auth_test.go
+++ b/auth_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package auth
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"net"
 	"net/http"
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/avatar"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/logger"
+	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/middleware"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/provider"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/token"
 )
@@ -246,6 +248,148 @@ func TestIntegrationList(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, `["dev","github","custom123"]`+"\n", string(b))
 }
 
+type testAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	statusCode   int
+	contentType  string
+	responseBody string
+	wasCalled    bool
+}
+
+func (h *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(
+	w http.ResponseWriter,
+	_ *http.Request,
+	authError error,
+	reason string,
+	statusCode int,
+) {
+	h.wasCalled = true
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", h.contentType)
+	w.WriteHeader(h.statusCode)
+	fmt.Fprint(w, h.responseBody)
+}
+
+func TestIntegrationAuthErrorHTTPHandler(t *testing.T) {
+	apiHandler := http.HandlerFunc(
+		func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+			_, _ = w.Write([]byte("must not be called\n"))
+			t.Error("auth error must be raised before this HTTP handler is called")
+		},
+	)
+	defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler := testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+		statusCode:   400,
+		contentType:  "application/json",
+		responseBody: `{"code": 400, "message": "from general error handler"}`,
+	}
+	type apiCall struct {
+		requestPath      string
+		expectedHandler  *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler
+		createMiddleware func(apiCall, middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler
+	}
+	apiCalls := []apiCall{
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/private1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.Auth(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/private2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   402,
+				contentType:  "application/json",
+				responseBody: `{"code": 402, "message": "from private2 error handler"}`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(apiHandler, ac.expectedHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/admin1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AdminOnly(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/admin2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   404,
+				contentType:  "application/json",
+				responseBody: `{"code": 404, "message": "from admin2 error handler"}`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(apiHandler, ac.expectedHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/rbac1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.RBAC("role1", "role2")(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/rbac2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   406,
+				contentType:  "text/html",
+				responseBody: `<html><body><h1>from RBAC2 error handler</h1></body></html>`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(ac.expectedHandler, "role1", "role2")(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	options := Opts{
+		SecretReader:         token.SecretFunc(func(string) (string, error) { return "secret", nil }),
+		Issuer:               "my-test-app",
+		URL:                  "http://127.0.0.1:8089",
+		AuthErrorHTTPHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+	}
+
+	svc := NewService(options)
+	svc.AddDevProvider("localhost", 18084) // add dev provider on 18084
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	m := svc.Middleware()
+
+	for _, ac := range apiCalls {
+		mux.Handle(ac.requestPath, ac.createMiddleware(ac, m))
+	}
+
+	l, listenErr := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:8089")
+	require.Nil(t, listenErr)
+	ts := httptest.NewUnstartedServer(mux)
+	assert.NoError(t, ts.Listener.Close())
+	ts.Listener = l
+	ts.Start()
+	defer func() {
+		ts.Close()
+	}()
+
+	for _, ac := range apiCalls {
+		t.Run("auth error test for endpoint "+ac.requestPath, func(t *testing.T) {
+			th := ac.expectedHandler
+			th.wasCalled = false
+
+			resp, err := http.Get("http://127.0.0.1:8089" + ac.requestPath)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+			require.True(t, th.wasCalled)
+
+			require.Equal(t, th.statusCode, resp.StatusCode)
+			require.Equal(t, th.contentType, resp.Header.Get("Content-Type"))
+
+			b, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.Equal(t, th.responseBody, string(b))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestIntegrationUserInfo(t *testing.T) {
 	_, teardown := prepService(t)
 	defer teardown()
diff --git a/middleware/auth.go b/middleware/auth.go
index 64d6c7ce..23e95041 100644
--- a/middleware/auth.go
+++ b/middleware/auth.go
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ import (
 // Authenticator is top level auth object providing middlewares
 type Authenticator struct {
 	logger.L
-	JWTService       TokenService
-	Providers        []provider.Service
-	Validator        token.Validator
-	AdminPasswd      string
-	BasicAuthChecker BasicAuthFunc
-	RefreshCache     RefreshCache
+	JWTService           TokenService
+	Providers            []provider.Service
+	Validator            token.Validator
+	AdminPasswd          string
+	BasicAuthChecker     BasicAuthFunc
+	RefreshCache         RefreshCache
+	AuthErrorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler
 }
 
 // RefreshCache defines interface storing and retrieving refreshed tokens
@@ -45,6 +46,28 @@ type TokenService interface {
 // The second return parameter `User` need for add user claims into context of request.
 type BasicAuthFunc func(user, passwd string) (ok bool, userInfo token.User, err error)
 
+// AuthErrorHTTPHandler defines interface for handling HTTP responses in case of authentication errors
+type AuthErrorHTTPHandler interface {
+	// Serves HTTP response in case of authentication error
+	// w - response writer
+	// r - original request
+	// authError - authentication error with technical details
+	// reason - reason text
+	// statusCode - HTTP status code
+	ServeAuthError(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, authError error, reason string, statusCode int)
+}
+
+// DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler is a default implementation, which writes text/plain responses using http.Error()
+type DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	logger.L
+}
+
+// ServeAuthError writes text/plain responses using http.Error()
+func (h DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request, authError error, reason string, statusCode int) {
+	h.Logf("[DEBUG] auth failed, %v", authError)
+	http.Error(w, reason, statusCode)
+}
+
 // adminUser sets claims for an optional basic auth
 var adminUser = token.User{
 	ID:   "admin",
@@ -56,24 +79,29 @@ var adminUser = token.User{
 
 // Auth middleware adds auth from session and populates user info
 func (a *Authenticator) Auth(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
-	return a.auth(true)(next)
+	return a.auth(true, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())(next)
+}
+
+// AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler middleware adds auth from session and populates user info.
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
+	return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(next)
 }
 
 // Trace middleware doesn't require valid user but if user info presented populates info
 func (a *Authenticator) Trace(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
-	return a.auth(false)(next)
+	return a.auth(false, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())(next)
 }
 
 // auth implements all logic for authentication (reqAuth=true) and tracing (reqAuth=false)
-func (a *Authenticator) auth(reqAuth bool) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+func (a *Authenticator) auth(reqAuth bool, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 
 	onError := func(h http.Handler, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, err error) {
 		if !reqAuth { // if no auth required allow to proceeded on error
 			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 			return
 		}
-		a.Logf("[DEBUG] auth failed, %v", err)
-		http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 	}
 
 	f := func(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
@@ -191,23 +219,34 @@ func (a *Authenticator) refreshExpiredToken(w http.ResponseWriter, claims token.
 	return c, nil
 }
 
-// AdminOnly middleware allows access for admins only
-// this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth
+// AdminOnly middleware allows access for admins only.
+// This handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth
 func (a *Authenticator) AdminOnly(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.adminOnly(next, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())
+}
+
+// AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler middleware allows access for admins only.
+// This handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth.
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
+	return a.adminOnly(next, errorHTTPHandler)
+}
+
+func (a *Authenticator) adminOnly(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
 	fn := func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		user, err := token.GetUserInfo(r)
 		if err != nil {
-			http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+			errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
 		if !user.IsAdmin() {
-			http.Error(w, "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
+			errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, fmt.Errorf("user %s/%s is not admin", user.Name, user.ID), "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
 			return
 		}
 		next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 	}
-	return a.auth(true)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
+	return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
 }
 
 // basic auth for admin user
@@ -234,12 +273,23 @@ func (a *Authenticator) basicAdminUser(r *http.Request) bool {
 // RBAC middleware allows role based control for routes
 // this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if RBAC defined without prior Auth
 func (a *Authenticator) RBAC(roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.rbac(a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler(), roles...)
+}
+
+// RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler middleware allows role based control for routes
+// this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if RBAC defined without prior Auth
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler, roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.rbac(errorHTTPHandler, roles...)
+}
+
+func (a *Authenticator) rbac(errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler, roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 
 	f := func(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 		fn := func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			user, err := token.GetUserInfo(r)
 			if err != nil {
-				http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+				errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 				return
 			}
 
@@ -251,12 +301,26 @@ func (a *Authenticator) RBAC(roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 				}
 			}
 			if !matched {
-				http.Error(w, "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
+				errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(
+					w,
+					r,
+					fmt.Errorf("user %s/%s does not have any of required roles: %s", user.Name, user.ID, roles),
+					"Access denied",
+					http.StatusForbidden,
+				)
 				return
 			}
 			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 		}
-		return a.auth(true)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
+		return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
 	}
 	return f
 }
+
+func (a *Authenticator) getAuthErrorHTTPHandler() AuthErrorHTTPHandler {
+	if a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler != nil {
+		return a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler
+	}
+
+	return DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler{L: a.L}
+}
diff --git a/middleware/auth_test.go b/middleware/auth_test.go
index 18208aee..c923b1a4 100644
--- a/middleware/auth_test.go
+++ b/middleware/auth_test.go
@@ -503,6 +503,70 @@ func TestRBAC(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "Access denied\n", string(data))
 }
 
+type testAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	wasCalled  bool
+	statusCode int
+}
+
+func (h *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(
+	w http.ResponseWriter,
+	_ *http.Request,
+	_ error,
+	_ string,
+	_ int,
+) {
+	h.wasCalled = true
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "text/plain")
+	w.WriteHeader(h.statusCode)
+	fmt.Fprint(w, "Unauthorized")
+}
+
+func TestAuthErrorHTTPHandler(t *testing.T) {
+	testErrorHandler1 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 401}
+	testErrorHandler2 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 402}
+	testErrorHandler3 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 403}
+	testErrorHandler4 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 404}
+
+	a := makeTestAuth(t)
+	a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler = testErrorHandler1
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(
+		func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) { // token required
+			_, _ = w.Write([]byte("must not be called\n"))
+			t.Error("auth error must be raised before this HTTP handler is called")
+		},
+	)
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	mux.Handle("/private1", a.Auth(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/private2", a.AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(handler, testErrorHandler2))
+	mux.Handle("/admin1", a.AdminOnly(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/admin2", a.AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(handler, testErrorHandler3))
+	mux.Handle("/rbac1", a.RBAC("role1")(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/rbac2", a.RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(testErrorHandler4, "role1")(handler))
+
+	server := httptest.NewServer(mux)
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly := func(t *testing.T, errorHandler *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler, path string) {
+		errorHandler.wasCalled = false
+
+		resp, err := http.Get(server.URL + path)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+		require.True(t, errorHandler.wasCalled, "error handler must be called")
+		require.Equal(t, errorHandler.statusCode, resp.StatusCode, "error handler must produce proper status code")
+	}
+
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/private1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler2, "/private2")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/admin1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler3, "/admin2")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/rbac1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler4, "/rbac2")
+}
+
 func makeTestMux(_ *testing.T, a *Authenticator, required bool) http.Handler {
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	authMiddleware := a.Auth
diff --git a/v2/auth.go b/v2/auth.go
index 30d4a613..e5908399 100644
--- a/v2/auth.go
+++ b/v2/auth.go
@@ -66,12 +66,13 @@ type Opts struct {
 	AvatarRoutePath   string       // avatar routing prefix, i.e. "/api/v1/avatar", default `/avatar`
 	UseGravatar       bool         // for email based auth (verified provider) use gravatar service
 
-	AdminPasswd      string                   // if presented, allows basic auth with user admin and given password
-	BasicAuthChecker middleware.BasicAuthFunc // user custom checker for basic auth, if one defined then "AdminPasswd" will ignored
-	AudienceReader   token.Audience           // list of allowed aud values, default (empty) allows any
-	AudSecrets       bool                     // allow multiple secrets (secret per aud)
-	Logger           logger.L                 // logger interface, default is no logging at all
-	RefreshCache     middleware.RefreshCache  // optional cache to keep refreshed tokens
+	AdminPasswd          string                          // if presented, allows basic auth with user admin and given password
+	BasicAuthChecker     middleware.BasicAuthFunc        // user custom checker for basic auth, if one defined then "AdminPasswd" will ignored
+	AudienceReader       token.Audience                  // list of allowed aud values, default (empty) allows any
+	AudSecrets           bool                            // allow multiple secrets (secret per aud)
+	Logger               logger.L                        // logger interface, default is no logging at all
+	RefreshCache         middleware.RefreshCache         // optional cache to keep refreshed tokens
+	AuthErrorHTTPHandler middleware.AuthErrorHTTPHandler // optional HTTP handler for authentication errors
 }
 
 // NewService initializes everything
@@ -81,10 +82,11 @@ func NewService(opts Opts) (res *Service) {
 		opts:   opts,
 		logger: opts.Logger,
 		authMiddleware: middleware.Authenticator{
-			Validator:        opts.Validator,
-			AdminPasswd:      opts.AdminPasswd,
-			BasicAuthChecker: opts.BasicAuthChecker,
-			RefreshCache:     opts.RefreshCache,
+			Validator:            opts.Validator,
+			AdminPasswd:          opts.AdminPasswd,
+			BasicAuthChecker:     opts.BasicAuthChecker,
+			RefreshCache:         opts.RefreshCache,
+			AuthErrorHTTPHandler: opts.AuthErrorHTTPHandler,
 		},
 		issuer:      opts.Issuer,
 		useGravatar: opts.UseGravatar,
diff --git a/v2/auth_test.go b/v2/auth_test.go
index 81655bb6..bc3c1852 100644
--- a/v2/auth_test.go
+++ b/v2/auth_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package auth
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"net"
 	"net/http"
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/v2/avatar"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/v2/logger"
+	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/v2/middleware"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/v2/provider"
 	"github.com/go-pkgz/auth/v2/token"
 )
@@ -246,6 +248,148 @@ func TestIntegrationList(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, `["dev","github","custom123"]`+"\n", string(b))
 }
 
+type testAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	statusCode   int
+	contentType  string
+	responseBody string
+	wasCalled    bool
+}
+
+func (h *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(
+	w http.ResponseWriter,
+	_ *http.Request,
+	authError error,
+	reason string,
+	statusCode int,
+) {
+	h.wasCalled = true
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", h.contentType)
+	w.WriteHeader(h.statusCode)
+	fmt.Fprint(w, h.responseBody)
+}
+
+func TestIntegrationAuthErrorHTTPHandler(t *testing.T) {
+	apiHandler := http.HandlerFunc(
+		func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+			_, _ = w.Write([]byte("must not be called\n"))
+			t.Error("auth error must be raised before this HTTP handler is called")
+		},
+	)
+	defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler := testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+		statusCode:   400,
+		contentType:  "application/json",
+		responseBody: `{"code": 400, "message": "from general error handler"}`,
+	}
+	type apiCall struct {
+		requestPath      string
+		expectedHandler  *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler
+		createMiddleware func(apiCall, middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler
+	}
+	apiCalls := []apiCall{
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/private1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.Auth(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/private2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   402,
+				contentType:  "application/json",
+				responseBody: `{"code": 402, "message": "from private2 error handler"}`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(apiHandler, ac.expectedHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/admin1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AdminOnly(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/admin2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   404,
+				contentType:  "application/json",
+				responseBody: `{"code": 404, "message": "from admin2 error handler"}`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(apiHandler, ac.expectedHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath:     "/rbac1",
+			expectedHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.RBAC("role1", "role2")(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			requestPath: "/rbac2",
+			expectedHandler: &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{
+				statusCode:   406,
+				contentType:  "text/html",
+				responseBody: `<html><body><h1>from RBAC2 error handler</h1></body></html>`,
+			},
+			createMiddleware: func(ac apiCall, a middleware.Authenticator) http.Handler {
+				return a.RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(ac.expectedHandler, "role1", "role2")(apiHandler)
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	options := Opts{
+		SecretReader:         token.SecretFunc(func(string) (string, error) { return "secret", nil }),
+		Issuer:               "my-test-app",
+		URL:                  "http://127.0.0.1:8089",
+		AuthErrorHTTPHandler: &defaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler,
+	}
+
+	svc := NewService(options)
+	svc.AddDevProvider("localhost", 18084) // add dev provider on 18084
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	m := svc.Middleware()
+
+	for _, ac := range apiCalls {
+		mux.Handle(ac.requestPath, ac.createMiddleware(ac, m))
+	}
+
+	l, listenErr := net.Listen("tcp", "127.0.0.1:8089")
+	require.Nil(t, listenErr)
+	ts := httptest.NewUnstartedServer(mux)
+	assert.NoError(t, ts.Listener.Close())
+	ts.Listener = l
+	ts.Start()
+	defer func() {
+		ts.Close()
+	}()
+
+	for _, ac := range apiCalls {
+		t.Run("auth error test for endpoint "+ac.requestPath, func(t *testing.T) {
+			th := ac.expectedHandler
+			th.wasCalled = false
+
+			resp, err := http.Get("http://127.0.0.1:8089" + ac.requestPath)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+			require.True(t, th.wasCalled)
+
+			require.Equal(t, th.statusCode, resp.StatusCode)
+			require.Equal(t, th.contentType, resp.Header.Get("Content-Type"))
+
+			b, err := io.ReadAll(resp.Body)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.Equal(t, th.responseBody, string(b))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestIntegrationUserInfo(t *testing.T) {
 	_, teardown := prepService(t)
 	defer teardown()
diff --git a/v2/middleware/auth.go b/v2/middleware/auth.go
index 6e8c5ed8..61e1c08c 100644
--- a/v2/middleware/auth.go
+++ b/v2/middleware/auth.go
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ import (
 // Authenticator is top level auth object providing middlewares
 type Authenticator struct {
 	logger.L
-	JWTService       TokenService
-	Providers        []provider.Service
-	Validator        token.Validator
-	AdminPasswd      string
-	BasicAuthChecker BasicAuthFunc
-	RefreshCache     RefreshCache
+	JWTService           TokenService
+	Providers            []provider.Service
+	Validator            token.Validator
+	AdminPasswd          string
+	BasicAuthChecker     BasicAuthFunc
+	RefreshCache         RefreshCache
+	AuthErrorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler
 }
 
 // RefreshCache defines interface storing and retrieving refreshed tokens
@@ -45,6 +46,28 @@ type TokenService interface {
 // The second return parameter `User` need for add user claims into context of request.
 type BasicAuthFunc func(user, passwd string) (ok bool, userInfo token.User, err error)
 
+// AuthErrorHTTPHandler defines interface for handling HTTP responses in case of authentication errors
+type AuthErrorHTTPHandler interface {
+	// Serves HTTP response in case of authentication error
+	// w - response writer
+	// r - original request
+	// authError - authentication error with technical details
+	// reason - reason text
+	// statusCode - HTTP status code
+	ServeAuthError(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, authError error, reason string, statusCode int)
+}
+
+// DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler is a default implementation, which writes text/plain responses using http.Error()
+type DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	logger.L
+}
+
+// ServeAuthError writes text/plain responses using http.Error()
+func (h DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request, authError error, reason string, statusCode int) {
+	h.Logf("[DEBUG] auth failed, %v", authError)
+	http.Error(w, reason, statusCode)
+}
+
 // adminUser sets claims for an optional basic auth
 var adminUser = token.User{
 	ID:   "admin",
@@ -56,24 +79,29 @@ var adminUser = token.User{
 
 // Auth middleware adds auth from session and populates user info
 func (a *Authenticator) Auth(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
-	return a.auth(true)(next)
+	return a.auth(true, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())(next)
+}
+
+// AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler middleware adds auth from session and populates user info.
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
+	return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(next)
 }
 
 // Trace middleware doesn't require valid user but if user info presented populates info
 func (a *Authenticator) Trace(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
-	return a.auth(false)(next)
+	return a.auth(false, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())(next)
 }
 
 // auth implements all logic for authentication (reqAuth=true) and tracing (reqAuth=false)
-func (a *Authenticator) auth(reqAuth bool) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+func (a *Authenticator) auth(reqAuth bool, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 
 	onError := func(h http.Handler, w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, err error) {
 		if !reqAuth { // if no auth required allow to proceeded on error
 			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 			return
 		}
-		a.Logf("[DEBUG] auth failed, %v", err)
-		http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+		errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 	}
 
 	f := func(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
@@ -191,23 +219,34 @@ func (a *Authenticator) refreshExpiredToken(w http.ResponseWriter, claims token.
 	return c, nil
 }
 
-// AdminOnly middleware allows access for admins only
-// this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth
+// AdminOnly middleware allows access for admins only.
+// This handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth
 func (a *Authenticator) AdminOnly(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.adminOnly(next, a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler())
+}
+
+// AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler middleware allows access for admins only.
+// This handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if AdminOnly defined without prior Auth.
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
+	return a.adminOnly(next, errorHTTPHandler)
+}
+
+func (a *Authenticator) adminOnly(next http.Handler, errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler) http.Handler {
 	fn := func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		user, err := token.GetUserInfo(r)
 		if err != nil {
-			http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+			errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
 		if !user.IsAdmin() {
-			http.Error(w, "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
+			errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, fmt.Errorf("user %s/%s is not admin", user.Name, user.ID), "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
 			return
 		}
 		next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 	}
-	return a.auth(true)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
+	return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
 }
 
 // basic auth for admin user
@@ -234,12 +273,23 @@ func (a *Authenticator) basicAdminUser(r *http.Request) bool {
 // RBAC middleware allows role based control for routes
 // this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if RBAC defined without prior Auth
 func (a *Authenticator) RBAC(roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.rbac(a.getAuthErrorHTTPHandler(), roles...)
+}
+
+// RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler middleware allows role based control for routes
+// this handler internally wrapped with auth(true) to avoid situation if RBAC defined without prior Auth
+// errorHttpHandler parameter may be used to write custom HTTP responses in case of authentication error.
+func (a *Authenticator) RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler, roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return a.rbac(errorHTTPHandler, roles...)
+}
+
+func (a *Authenticator) rbac(errorHTTPHandler AuthErrorHTTPHandler, roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 
 	f := func(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 		fn := func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			user, err := token.GetUserInfo(r)
 			if err != nil {
-				http.Error(w, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+				errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(w, r, err, "Unauthorized", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 				return
 			}
 
@@ -251,12 +301,26 @@ func (a *Authenticator) RBAC(roles ...string) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
 				}
 			}
 			if !matched {
-				http.Error(w, "Access denied", http.StatusForbidden)
+				errorHTTPHandler.ServeAuthError(
+					w,
+					r,
+					fmt.Errorf("user %s/%s does not have any of required roles: %s", user.Name, user.ID, roles),
+					"Access denied",
+					http.StatusForbidden,
+				)
 				return
 			}
 			h.ServeHTTP(w, r)
 		}
-		return a.auth(true)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
+		return a.auth(true, errorHTTPHandler)(http.HandlerFunc(fn)) // enforce auth
 	}
 	return f
 }
+
+func (a *Authenticator) getAuthErrorHTTPHandler() AuthErrorHTTPHandler {
+	if a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler != nil {
+		return a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler
+	}
+
+	return DefaultAuthErrorHTTPHandler{L: a.L}
+}
diff --git a/v2/middleware/auth_test.go b/v2/middleware/auth_test.go
index d71e0c9f..37baa629 100644
--- a/v2/middleware/auth_test.go
+++ b/v2/middleware/auth_test.go
@@ -502,6 +502,70 @@ func TestRBAC(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, "Access denied\n", string(data))
 }
 
+type testAuthErrorHTTPHandler struct {
+	wasCalled  bool
+	statusCode int
+}
+
+func (h *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler) ServeAuthError(
+	w http.ResponseWriter,
+	_ *http.Request,
+	_ error,
+	_ string,
+	_ int,
+) {
+	h.wasCalled = true
+	w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "text/plain")
+	w.WriteHeader(h.statusCode)
+	fmt.Fprint(w, "Unauthorized")
+}
+
+func TestAuthErrorHTTPHandler(t *testing.T) {
+	testErrorHandler1 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 401}
+	testErrorHandler2 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 402}
+	testErrorHandler3 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 403}
+	testErrorHandler4 := &testAuthErrorHTTPHandler{statusCode: 404}
+
+	a := makeTestAuth(t)
+	a.AuthErrorHTTPHandler = testErrorHandler1
+
+	handler := http.HandlerFunc(
+		func(w http.ResponseWriter, _ *http.Request) {
+			_, _ = w.Write([]byte("must not be called\n"))
+			t.Error("auth error must be raised before this HTTP handler is called")
+		},
+	)
+
+	mux := http.NewServeMux()
+	mux.Handle("/private1", a.Auth(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/private2", a.AuthWithErrorHTTPHandler(handler, testErrorHandler2))
+	mux.Handle("/admin1", a.AdminOnly(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/admin2", a.AdminOnlyWithErrorHTTPHandler(handler, testErrorHandler3))
+	mux.Handle("/rbac1", a.RBAC("role1")(handler))
+	mux.Handle("/rbac2", a.RBACwithErrorHTTPHandler(testErrorHandler4, "role1")(handler))
+
+	server := httptest.NewServer(mux)
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly := func(t *testing.T, errorHandler *testAuthErrorHTTPHandler, path string) {
+		errorHandler.wasCalled = false
+
+		resp, err := http.Get(server.URL + path)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer resp.Body.Close()
+
+		require.True(t, errorHandler.wasCalled, "error handler must be called")
+		require.Equal(t, errorHandler.statusCode, resp.StatusCode, "error handler must produce proper status code")
+	}
+
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/private1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler2, "/private2")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/admin1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler3, "/admin2")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler1, "/rbac1")
+	assertThatHandlerWasCalledProperly(t, testErrorHandler4, "/rbac2")
+}
+
 func makeTestMux(_ *testing.T, a *Authenticator, required bool) http.Handler {
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	authMiddleware := a.Auth