Redirect Checker

The Redirect Checker is a free online tool that traces the complete HTTP redirect chain for any URL. Enter a URL and instantly see every hop in the redirect path, including status codes (301, 302, 307, 308), response times, response headers, and security details. Whether you are debugging redirect issues, auditing SEO configurations, or verifying HTTPS enforcement, this tool gives you full visibility into how browsers navigate from origin to destination.

What Is an HTTP Redirect?

An HTTP redirect is a server response that instructs the client (browser or bot) to request a different URL. When a server returns a 3xx status code with a Location header, the client automatically navigates to the new address. Redirects are fundamental to how the web works, enabling URL changes, protocol upgrades, and domain consolidation without breaking existing links.

HTTP Redirect Status Codes

Why Check Redirect Chains?

How to Use This Tool

1. Enter the URL: Type or paste the URL you want to check into the input field. You can enter URLs with or without the http:// prefix.
2. Select the HTTP method: Choose GET (default) to send a full request, or HEAD to only fetch headers (faster but some servers handle HEAD differently).
3. Click "Check Redirects": The tool follows each redirect hop automatically, collecting status codes, response headers, and timing data at every step.
4. Analyze the results: Review the visual redirect chain for a quick overview, then expand individual hops to inspect response headers, check HTTPS status, and identify potential issues.

Understanding the Results

Summary Cards

The summary cards give you a quick overview: Total Hops shows how many servers were contacted, Total Time shows the cumulative response time across all hops, Final Status shows the HTTP status of the last response, and security indicators show whether HTTPS is enforced and HSTS is present.

Visual Chain Diagram

The animated chain shows each redirect as a node with its status code, URL, and response time. Nodes are color-coded: indigo for redirects (3xx), green for success (2xx), and red for errors. Arrows between nodes show the redirect status code.

Detailed Hop Information

Click any hop in the detail section to expand it and see the full URL, protocol (HTTP/HTTPS), redirect destination, and all relevant response headers including Server, Strict-Transport-Security, Cache-Control, and more.

Best Practices for Redirects

Keep Chains Short

Googlebot follows up to 10 redirect hops; keep chains as short as possible. Each hop adds latency for users.

Use 301 for Permanent Moves

When a page permanently moves, use a 301 or 308 redirect so the new URL becomes canonical.

Enforce HTTPS Properly

Redirect HTTP to HTTPS at the server level and implement HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) to prevent protocol downgrade attacks. A proper setup shows: http:// → 301 → https:// with an HSTS header on the HTTPS response.

Avoid Redirect Loops

Redirect loops (A → B → A) cause browsers to display ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS. Test all redirect rules carefully, especially when combining server-level and application-level redirects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an HTTP redirect?

An HTTP redirect is a server response (status codes 301, 302, 303, 307, or 308) that tells the browser to navigate to a different URL. It is commonly used when a page has moved, to enforce HTTPS, or to normalize URLs with or without www.

What is the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?

A 301 (Moved Permanently) tells search engines the page has permanently moved and to transfer SEO value (link equity) to the new URL. A 302 (Found) indicates a temporary redirect, meaning the original URL may return in the future and search engines should keep indexing it.

Why should I check my redirect chains?

Long redirect chains slow down page loading and can make it harder for search engines to choose the canonical URL. Each hop adds latency, and search engines may stop following after a certain number of redirects. Checking helps you identify unnecessary hops and optimize for faster, SEO-friendly redirect paths.

What is a redirect loop and how do I fix it?

A redirect loop occurs when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects back to URL A, creating an infinite cycle. This results in an ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error. To fix it, review your server configuration, .htaccess rules, or CDN settings to break the circular reference.

Does this tool follow redirects across different domains?

Yes, the Redirect Checker follows redirects across different domains, subdomains, and protocols (HTTP to HTTPS). It traces the complete chain from origin to final destination, regardless of how many different servers are involved, up to a maximum of 20 hops.

Why does a URL redirect differently for Googlebot and Chrome?

Some sites send different responses based on the requesting user agent, device, or other request details. Select the relevant browser or bot option, such as Googlebot smartphone or Chrome desktop, and compare the redirect chains. If the final URL differs, review the site’s redirect, mobile, or user-agent rules. A difference can be intentional, but it is worth checking that visitors and search crawlers reach the destinations you expect.

Should I use GET or HEAD when checking a redirect?

Use GET when you want a browser-like request that asks the server for the resource as well as following redirects. HEAD requests ask for response headers without the response body and can be quicker, but some servers handle HEAD differently or do not support it consistently. If a HEAD result looks unexpected, run the same URL with GET and compare the status codes and destinations.

How can I check whether old URLs reach the right pages after a site migration?

Use the many-URL check and enter each old URL, optionally followed by the destination it should reach. The form accepts up to 25 URLs per check. For example, list an old product URL and the new product page expected for it, then review the redirect path for each entry. This helps identify incorrect destinations and extra hops across a migration; check additional batches if your URL list is longer.

Additional Resources

• HTTP Redirections - MDN Web Docs
• Redirects and Google Search - Google Developers
• Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) - MDN