diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 61d7e3d234..d5c6f25abf 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -35,10 +35,12 @@ lossy_float_literal = "warn"
 macro_use_imports = "warn"
 match_wildcard_for_single_variants = "warn"
 mem_forget = "warn"
+must_use_candidate = "warn"
 needless_borrow = "warn"
 needless_continue = "warn"
 option_option = "warn"
 rest_pat_in_fully_bound_structs = "warn"
+return_self_not_must_use = "warn"
 str_to_string = "warn"
 suboptimal_flops = "warn"
 todo = "warn"
diff --git a/axum-core/src/body.rs b/axum-core/src/body.rs
index 6c49970b96..cbc5606b1b 100644
--- a/axum-core/src/body.rs
+++ b/axum-core/src/body.rs
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ where
 }
 
 /// The body type used in axum requests and responses.
+#[must_use]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Body(BoxBody);
 
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ impl http_body::Body for Body {
 /// A stream of data frames.
 ///
 /// Created with [`Body::into_data_stream`].
+#[must_use]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct BodyDataStream {
     inner: Body,
diff --git a/axum-core/src/error.rs b/axum-core/src/error.rs
index 8c522c72b2..e77340e3cf 100644
--- a/axum-core/src/error.rs
+++ b/axum-core/src/error.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ impl Error {
     }
 
     /// Convert an `Error` back into the underlying boxed trait object.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_inner(self) -> BoxError {
         self.inner
     }
diff --git a/axum-core/src/macros.rs b/axum-core/src/macros.rs
index 8f2762486e..6bc24c3027 100644
--- a/axum-core/src/macros.rs
+++ b/axum-core/src/macros.rs
@@ -106,11 +106,13 @@ macro_rules! __define_rejection {
             }
 
             /// Get the response body text used for this rejection.
+            #[must_use]
             pub fn body_text(&self) -> String {
                 self.to_string()
             }
 
             /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+            #[must_use]
             pub fn status(&self) -> http::StatusCode {
                 http::StatusCode::$status
             }
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@ macro_rules! __composite_rejection {
 
         impl $name {
             /// Get the response body text used for this rejection.
+            #[must_use]
             pub fn body_text(&self) -> String {
                 match self {
                     $(
@@ -188,6 +191,7 @@ macro_rules! __composite_rejection {
             }
 
             /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+            #[must_use]
             pub fn status(&self) -> http::StatusCode {
                 match self {
                     $(
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/mod.rs b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/mod.rs
index a8734335e8..aada056aee 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/mod.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/mod.rs
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ pub use cookie::Key;
 ///     .route("/me", get(me));
 /// # let app: Router = app;
 /// ```
+#[must_use = "`CookieJar` should be returned as part of a `Response`, otherwise it does nothing."]
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Clone)]
 pub struct CookieJar {
     jar: cookie::CookieJar,
@@ -153,6 +154,7 @@ impl CookieJar {
     ///         .map(|cookie| cookie.value().to_owned());
     /// }
     /// ```
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn get(&self, name: &str) -> Option<&Cookie<'static>> {
         self.jar.get(name)
     }
@@ -169,7 +171,6 @@ impl CookieJar {
     ///     jar.remove(Cookie::from("foo"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     pub fn remove<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.jar.remove(cookie);
         self
@@ -189,7 +190,6 @@ impl CookieJar {
     ///     jar.add(Cookie::new("foo", "bar"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     #[allow(clippy::should_implement_trait)]
     pub fn add<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.jar.add(cookie);
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/private.rs b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/private.rs
index 841acb7484..cf72297c58 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/private.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/private.rs
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ use std::{convert::Infallible, fmt, marker::PhantomData};
 ///     }
 /// }
 /// ```
+#[must_use = "`PrivateCookieJar` should be returned as part of a `Response`, otherwise it does nothing."]
 pub struct PrivateCookieJar<K = Key> {
     jar: cookie::CookieJar,
     key: Key,
@@ -201,6 +202,7 @@ impl<K> PrivateCookieJar<K> {
     ///         .map(|cookie| cookie.value().to_owned());
     /// }
     /// ```
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn get(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.private_jar().get(name)
     }
@@ -217,7 +219,6 @@ impl<K> PrivateCookieJar<K> {
     ///     jar.remove(Cookie::from("foo"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     pub fn remove<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.private_jar_mut().remove(cookie);
         self
@@ -237,7 +238,6 @@ impl<K> PrivateCookieJar<K> {
     ///     jar.add(Cookie::new("foo", "bar"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     #[allow(clippy::should_implement_trait)]
     pub fn add<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.private_jar_mut().add(cookie);
@@ -246,6 +246,7 @@ impl<K> PrivateCookieJar<K> {
 
     /// Authenticates and decrypts `cookie`, returning the plaintext version if decryption succeeds
     /// or `None` otherwise.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn decrypt(&self, cookie: Cookie<'static>) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.private_jar().decrypt(cookie)
     }
@@ -284,6 +285,7 @@ impl<K> IntoResponse for PrivateCookieJar<K> {
     }
 }
 
+#[must_use = "iterators are lazy and do nothing unless consumed"]
 struct PrivateCookieJarIter<'a, K> {
     jar: &'a PrivateCookieJar<K>,
     iter: cookie::Iter<'a>,
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/signed.rs b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/signed.rs
index 3120674417..eb359ca380 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/signed.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/extract/cookie/signed.rs
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ use std::{convert::Infallible, fmt, marker::PhantomData};
 ///     }
 /// }
 /// ```
+#[must_use = "`SignedCookieJar` should be returned as part of a `Response`, otherwise it does nothing."]
 pub struct SignedCookieJar<K = Key> {
     jar: cookie::CookieJar,
     key: Key,
@@ -219,6 +220,7 @@ impl<K> SignedCookieJar<K> {
     ///         .map(|cookie| cookie.value().to_owned());
     /// }
     /// ```
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn get(&self, name: &str) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.signed_jar().get(name)
     }
@@ -235,7 +237,6 @@ impl<K> SignedCookieJar<K> {
     ///     jar.remove(Cookie::from("foo"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     pub fn remove<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.signed_jar_mut().remove(cookie);
         self
@@ -255,7 +256,6 @@ impl<K> SignedCookieJar<K> {
     ///     jar.add(Cookie::new("foo", "bar"))
     /// }
     /// ```
-    #[must_use]
     #[allow(clippy::should_implement_trait)]
     pub fn add<C: Into<Cookie<'static>>>(mut self, cookie: C) -> Self {
         self.signed_jar_mut().add(cookie);
@@ -264,6 +264,7 @@ impl<K> SignedCookieJar<K> {
 
     /// Verifies the authenticity and integrity of `cookie`, returning the plaintext version if
     /// verification succeeds or `None` otherwise.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn verify(&self, cookie: Cookie<'static>) -> Option<Cookie<'static>> {
         self.signed_jar().verify(cookie)
     }
@@ -302,6 +303,7 @@ impl<K> IntoResponse for SignedCookieJar<K> {
     }
 }
 
+#[must_use = "iterators are lazy and do nothing unless consumed"]
 struct SignedCookieJarIter<'a, K> {
     jar: &'a SignedCookieJar<K>,
     iter: cookie::Iter<'a>,
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/extract/multipart.rs b/axum-extra/src/extract/multipart.rs
index e92dc1788e..39d67a0c92 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/extract/multipart.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/extract/multipart.rs
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ impl Field {
     /// The field name found in the
     /// [`Content-Disposition`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Disposition)
     /// header.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.name()
     }
@@ -157,16 +158,19 @@ impl Field {
     /// The file name found in the
     /// [`Content-Disposition`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Disposition)
     /// header.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn file_name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.file_name()
     }
 
     /// Get the [content type](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Type) of the field.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn content_type(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.content_type().map(|m| m.as_ref())
     }
 
     /// Get a map of headers as [`HeaderMap`].
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
         self.inner.headers()
     }
@@ -253,6 +257,7 @@ impl MultipartError {
     }
 
     /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn status(&self) -> http::StatusCode {
         status_code_from_multer_error(&self.source)
     }
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/response/file_stream.rs b/axum-extra/src/response/file_stream.rs
index ed1afdff65..2f77168fd9 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/response/file_stream.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/response/file_stream.rs
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ use tokio_util::io::ReaderStream;
 /// let app = Router::new().route("/file-stream", get(file_stream));
 /// # let _: Router = app;
 /// ```
+#[must_use]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct FileStream<S> {
     /// stream.
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/response/multiple.rs b/axum-extra/src/response/multiple.rs
index ddc6293beb..310210a129 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/response/multiple.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/response/multiple.rs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ use mime::Mime;
 /// Create multipart forms to be used in API responses.
 ///
 /// This struct implements [`IntoResponse`], and so it can be returned from a handler.
+#[must_use]
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct MultipartForm {
     parts: Vec<Part>,
@@ -103,6 +104,7 @@ impl Part {
     /// let parts: Vec<Part> = vec![Part::text("foo".to_string(), "abc")];
     /// let form = MultipartForm::from_iter(parts);
     /// ```
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn text(name: String, contents: &str) -> Self {
         Self {
             name,
@@ -127,6 +129,7 @@ impl Part {
     /// let parts: Vec<Part> = vec![Part::file("foo", "foo.txt", vec![0x68, 0x68, 0x20, 0x6d, 0x6f, 0x6d])];
     /// let form = MultipartForm::from_iter(parts);
     /// ```
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn file(field_name: &str, file_name: &str, contents: Vec<u8>) -> Self {
         Self {
             name: field_name.to_owned(),
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/routing/mod.rs b/axum-extra/src/routing/mod.rs
index cf85dc532a..45cb180e76 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/routing/mod.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/routing/mod.rs
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ pub use self::typed::{SecondElementIs, TypedPath};
 // Validates a path at compile time, used with the vpath macro.
 #[rustversion::since(1.80)]
 #[doc(hidden)]
+#[must_use]
 pub const fn __private_validate_static_path(path: &'static str) -> &'static str {
     if path.is_empty() {
         panic!("Paths must start with a `/`. Use \"/\" for root routes")
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ macro_rules! vpath {
 }
 
 /// Extension trait that adds additional methods to [`Router`].
+#[allow(clippy::return_self_not_must_use)]
 pub trait RouterExt<S>: sealed::Sealed {
     /// Add a typed `GET` route to the router.
     ///
diff --git a/axum-extra/src/typed_header.rs b/axum-extra/src/typed_header.rs
index 7c08be9e38..41cf91819e 100644
--- a/axum-extra/src/typed_header.rs
+++ b/axum-extra/src/typed_header.rs
@@ -137,11 +137,13 @@ pub struct TypedHeaderRejection {
 
 impl TypedHeaderRejection {
     /// Name of the header that caused the rejection
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn name(&self) -> &http::header::HeaderName {
         self.name
     }
 
     /// Reason why the header extraction has failed
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn reason(&self) -> &TypedHeaderRejectionReason {
         &self.reason
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/extract/matched_path.rs b/axum/src/extract/matched_path.rs
index 0f5efba326..1dda92354c 100644
--- a/axum/src/extract/matched_path.rs
+++ b/axum/src/extract/matched_path.rs
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ pub struct MatchedPath(pub(crate) Arc<str>);
 
 impl MatchedPath {
     /// Returns a `str` representation of the path.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn as_str(&self) -> &str {
         &self.0
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/extract/multipart.rs b/axum/src/extract/multipart.rs
index 22ab7fa47c..e9832e8e84 100644
--- a/axum/src/extract/multipart.rs
+++ b/axum/src/extract/multipart.rs
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ impl Field<'_> {
     /// The field name found in the
     /// [`Content-Disposition`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Disposition)
     /// header.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.name()
     }
@@ -153,16 +154,19 @@ impl Field<'_> {
     /// The file name found in the
     /// [`Content-Disposition`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Disposition)
     /// header.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn file_name(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.file_name()
     }
 
     /// Get the [content type](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Content-Type) of the field.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn content_type(&self) -> Option<&str> {
         self.inner.content_type().map(|m| m.as_ref())
     }
 
     /// Get a map of headers as [`HeaderMap`].
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn headers(&self) -> &HeaderMap {
         self.inner.headers()
     }
@@ -238,11 +242,13 @@ impl MultipartError {
     }
 
     /// Get the response body text used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn body_text(&self) -> String {
         self.source.to_string()
     }
 
     /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn status(&self) -> http::StatusCode {
         status_code_from_multer_error(&self.source)
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/extract/nested_path.rs b/axum/src/extract/nested_path.rs
index 2e58d0e826..1d2c255e04 100644
--- a/axum/src/extract/nested_path.rs
+++ b/axum/src/extract/nested_path.rs
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ pub struct NestedPath(Arc<str>);
 
 impl NestedPath {
     /// Returns a `str` representation of the path.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn as_str(&self) -> &str {
         &self.0
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/extract/path/mod.rs b/axum/src/extract/path/mod.rs
index 9fd0837eb6..c2c01a039b 100644
--- a/axum/src/extract/path/mod.rs
+++ b/axum/src/extract/path/mod.rs
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ impl std::error::Error for PathDeserializationError {}
 /// This type is obtained through [`FailedToDeserializePathParams::kind`] or
 /// [`FailedToDeserializePathParams::into_kind`] and is useful for building
 /// more precise error messages.
+#[must_use]
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
 #[non_exhaustive]
 pub enum ErrorKind {
@@ -417,6 +418,7 @@ impl FailedToDeserializePathParams {
     }
 
     /// Get the response body text used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn body_text(&self) -> String {
         match self.0.kind {
             ErrorKind::Message(_)
@@ -432,6 +434,7 @@ impl FailedToDeserializePathParams {
     }
 
     /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn status(&self) -> StatusCode {
         match self.0.kind {
             ErrorKind::Message(_)
@@ -523,6 +526,7 @@ where
 
 impl RawPathParams {
     /// Get an iterator over the path parameters.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn iter(&self) -> RawPathParamsIter<'_> {
         self.into_iter()
     }
@@ -561,11 +565,13 @@ pub struct InvalidUtf8InPathParam {
 
 impl InvalidUtf8InPathParam {
     /// Get the response body text used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn body_text(&self) -> String {
         self.to_string()
     }
 
     /// Get the status code used for this rejection.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn status(&self) -> StatusCode {
         StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/extract/ws.rs b/axum/src/extract/ws.rs
index a7834bd03f..67d9247c8f 100644
--- a/axum/src/extract/ws.rs
+++ b/axum/src/extract/ws.rs
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ use tokio_tungstenite::{
 ///
 /// [`MethodFilter`]: crate::routing::MethodFilter
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ws")))]
+#[must_use]
 pub struct WebSocketUpgrade<F = DefaultOnFailedUpgrade> {
     config: WebSocketConfig,
     /// The chosen protocol sent in the `Sec-WebSocket-Protocol` header of the response.
@@ -580,6 +581,7 @@ pub struct Utf8Bytes(ts::Utf8Bytes);
 impl Utf8Bytes {
     /// Creates from a static str.
     #[inline]
+    #[must_use]
     pub const fn from_static(str: &'static str) -> Self {
         Self(ts::Utf8Bytes::from_static(str))
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/response/redirect.rs b/axum/src/response/redirect.rs
index 4113c124e0..e33928cd26 100644
--- a/axum/src/response/redirect.rs
+++ b/axum/src/response/redirect.rs
@@ -56,11 +56,13 @@ impl Redirect {
     }
 
     /// Returns the HTTP status code of the `Redirect`.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn status_code(&self) -> StatusCode {
         self.status_code
     }
 
     /// Returns the `Redirect`'s URI.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn location(&self) -> &str {
         &self.location
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/routing/method_filter.rs b/axum/src/routing/method_filter.rs
index ddd7b21e00..4b3d142356 100644
--- a/axum/src/routing/method_filter.rs
+++ b/axum/src/routing/method_filter.rs
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ impl MethodFilter {
     }
 
     /// Performs the OR operation between the [`MethodFilter`] in `self` with `other`.
+    #[must_use]
     pub const fn or(self, other: Self) -> Self {
         Self(self.0 | other.0)
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/routing/method_routing.rs b/axum/src/routing/method_routing.rs
index b67f5798f3..4a39542bd1 100644
--- a/axum/src/routing/method_routing.rs
+++ b/axum/src/routing/method_routing.rs
@@ -703,6 +703,7 @@ impl MethodRouter<(), Infallible> {
     /// ```
     ///
     /// [`MakeService`]: tower::make::MakeService
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_make_service(self) -> IntoMakeService<Self> {
         IntoMakeService::new(self.with_state(()))
     }
@@ -736,6 +737,7 @@ impl MethodRouter<(), Infallible> {
     /// [`MakeService`]: tower::make::MakeService
     /// [`Router::into_make_service_with_connect_info`]: crate::routing::Router::into_make_service_with_connect_info
     #[cfg(feature = "tokio")]
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_make_service_with_connect_info<C>(self) -> IntoMakeServiceWithConnectInfo<Self, C> {
         IntoMakeServiceWithConnectInfo::new(self.with_state(()))
     }
diff --git a/axum/src/routing/mod.rs b/axum/src/routing/mod.rs
index 5130c62e16..ce2425f1bc 100644
--- a/axum/src/routing/mod.rs
+++ b/axum/src/routing/mod.rs
@@ -317,6 +317,7 @@ where
     }
 
     /// True if the router currently has at least one route added.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn has_routes(&self) -> bool {
         self.inner.path_router.has_routes()
     }
@@ -513,6 +514,7 @@ where
     ///
     /// This is the same as [`Router::as_service`] instead it returns an owned [`Service`]. See
     /// that method for more details.
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_service<B>(self) -> RouterIntoService<B, S> {
         RouterIntoService {
             router: self,
@@ -540,6 +542,7 @@ impl Router {
     /// ```
     ///
     /// [`MakeService`]: tower::make::MakeService
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_make_service(self) -> IntoMakeService<Self> {
         // call `Router::with_state` such that everything is turned into `Route` eagerly
         // rather than doing that per request
@@ -548,6 +551,7 @@ impl Router {
 
     #[doc = include_str!("../docs/routing/into_make_service_with_connect_info.md")]
     #[cfg(feature = "tokio")]
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn into_make_service_with_connect_info<C>(self) -> IntoMakeServiceWithConnectInfo<Self, C> {
         // call `Router::with_state` such that everything is turned into `Route` eagerly
         // rather than doing that per request
diff --git a/axum/src/test_helpers/test_client.rs b/axum/src/test_helpers/test_client.rs
index 3891b60f0b..8f239e57c5 100644
--- a/axum/src/test_helpers/test_client.rs
+++ b/axum/src/test_helpers/test_client.rs
@@ -83,11 +83,13 @@ impl TestClient {
     }
 
     #[allow(dead_code)]
+    #[must_use]
     pub fn server_port(&self) -> u16 {
         self.addr.port()
     }
 }
 
+#[must_use]
 pub struct RequestBuilder {
     builder: reqwest::RequestBuilder,
 }