Redirect Checker
Fast, accurate results in seconds.
The Redirect Checker checks the full chain of redirects a URL goes through before reaching its final destination. Enter a domain or URL and get the results instantly, with no signup required.
This kind of lookup is useful for SEO audits, competitive research, troubleshooting site issues, or simply verifying technical details about a website before you rely on it.
How to Use the Redirect Checker
- Enter the domain or URL you want to check
- Click Check
- Review the results
Best Practices
- Recheck periodically, as DNS, hosting and authority data can change over time
- Cross-reference results with other tools for critical decisions
This tool is free to use with no signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a redirect checker show?
It shows the full chain of HTTP redirects a URL goes through before reaching its final destination, including each status code (like 301 or 302) along the way.
Why should I check for redirect chains on my site?
Long redirect chains slow down page load, waste crawl budget, and can dilute SEO ranking signals — ideally, URLs should redirect directly to their final destination in a single hop.
What's the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?
301 is a permanent redirect that passes ranking signals to the new URL, while 302 is a temporary redirect that typically retains ranking signals at the original URL.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, completely free with no signup, no limits and no software to install.
Is my data saved anywhere?
No — checks run on request and are not stored or linked to you.
How many redirect hops is too many?
Ideally zero or one — most SEO guidance recommends avoiding chains of more than 2-3 hops, since each additional redirect adds latency and risk of signal loss.
Can redirect chains hurt my Google rankings?
Yes, indirectly — excessive redirects slow page load (hurting Core Web Vitals) and can occasionally cause crawlers to give up before reaching the final page, both of which can negatively affect rankings.
Is this useful after a website migration?
Yes — checking redirects is a critical step after domain migrations, URL restructuring, or HTTPS migrations to confirm old URLs correctly and efficiently reach their new destinations.
Does this detect redirect loops?
Yes, a properly functioning redirect checker will identify when a URL redirects back to itself or cycles endlessly, which is a critical error to fix immediately.
Can I check redirects for any URL, not just my own site?
Yes — you can check the redirect behavior of any publicly accessible URL, useful for auditing competitor sites or verifying third-party links.
The Redirect Checker traces the full chain of redirects a URL goes through, showing each hop and its HTTP status code until it reaches the final destination.
Why Redirect Chains Matter More Than a Single Redirect
A single redirect (A to B) is generally harmless, but URLs sometimes pass through several redirects in sequence (A to B to C to D) before landing on a final page — often the accumulated result of multiple site migrations, URL structure changes, or marketing campaigns layered over time. Each additional hop adds latency to page load and, in some cases, can dilute link authority passed through the chain, making long redirect chains worth identifying and cleaning up.
Status Codes Worth Knowing
- 301 (Permanent Redirect) — signals the move is permanent and passes most link authority to the destination; the standard choice for genuine, lasting URL changes.
- 302 (Temporary Redirect) — signals the move is temporary, which search engines treat differently than a 301; using 302 for a permanent change is a common and easily avoidable SEO mistake.
- 404 or 500 at the end of a chain — reveals a broken redirect that never reaches a valid destination, actively harming both user experience and SEO.
Common Use Cases
Auditing a site after a migration to confirm old URLs redirect correctly, verifying marketing or affiliate links resolve to the intended destination, and diagnosing unexpectedly slow-loading pages caused by long redirect chains.
