The Redirect Checker reveals the HTTP status code returned by any URL — 200 (OK), 301 (Permanent Redirect), 302 (Temporary Redirect), 404 (Not Found), 500 (Server Error), and more. For redirect responses, it also shows the Location header so you know exactly where the URL points. This is essential for SEO auditing, debugging link chains, and verifying that old URLs forward correctly to new ones. Enter a URL, click Check, and see the server's raw first response. Because browsers hide these details due to CORS restrictions, the check is performed server-side to ensure accurate results.
About Redirect Checker
When you visit a URL, the web server responds with an HTTP status code that indicates the outcome. 200 means the page loaded successfully. 301 is a permanent redirect — the resource has moved permanently. 302 is a temporary redirect. 404 means not found, and 500 signals a server error. For redirects, the response includes a Location header pointing to the destination URL. This tool performs a HEAD request (without following redirects) so you see only the first response, making it invaluable for diagnosing redirect chains, verifying migrations, and auditing SEO link structures.
How to Use Redirect Checker
- Enter the URL you want to check (with or without
https://). - Click Check URL. The tool fetches the first response from the server.
- Review the HTTP status code and, for redirects, the Location header.
- If you see a redirect, you can check the destination URL next to trace the full chain.
Key Features
- Displays the exact HTTP status code (200, 301, 302, 404, 500, etc.)
- Shows the Location header for redirect responses
- Does not follow redirects — shows the raw first hop only
- Server-side check bypasses CORS restrictions for accurate results
- Fast HEAD request with minimal bandwidth usage
When to Use This Tool
- Verifying that old URLs redirect correctly after a site migration or URL change
- Auditing redirect chains for SEO — excessive redirects dilute link equity
- Debugging 404 errors or unexpected redirect loops
- Checking whether a short URL or affiliate link resolves to the expected destination
- Confirming HTTP-to-HTTPS redirects are in place
Technical Details
The tool issues a server-side HEAD request to the specified URL with redirect following disabled. This means you see the first response only — its status code and headers. Browsers cannot perform this check client-side because CORS policies hide response headers from cross-origin requests. Only public HTTP and HTTPS URLs are allowed; localhost and private IP ranges are blocked for security. For building proper redirect targets, use the URL Encoder or Slug Generator to create clean URLs.
Conclusion
Properly configured redirects are critical for SEO and user experience. This free Redirect Checker gives you instant insight into any URL's HTTP status and redirect destination — essential for site migrations, link audits, and debugging.