Free Redirect Checker
Trace a URL hop by hop to the page it lands on, with the status code of every redirect. Catch chains, loops, temporary redirects and meta refresh tags. Free, no account.
Enter the old URL. Each redirect is followed one at a time so you see every status code.
Redirect Status Codes: 301 vs 302 vs 307 vs 308
- 301 Moved Permanently: the standard for a page that moved for good. Ranking signals pass to the new URL.
- 308 Permanent Redirect: the same as a 301, but the browser keeps the request method, which matters for forms and APIs.
- 302 Found and 307 Temporary Redirect: temporary moves. Search engines keep the old URL indexed, which is wrong for a permanent move.
- Meta refresh and JavaScript: redirects in the page rather than the server. They are slower and weaker signals.
Why Redirect Chains Hurt SEO
Every hop is another request before the page starts loading, which slows visitors on mobile networks. Crawlers spend budget on each hop, and some AI crawlers give up after the first redirect. The fix is to send every old URL straight to its final destination in one 301, and to link to the final URL so nothing redirects at all.
Moving from http:// to https://? The SSL checker tests that redirect and your HSTS header. Changed URLs? Check the new page's canonical points at itself.
How to Check a URL's Redirects
- 1
Enter the old URL
Use the address people and links still point at, such as an http:// or non-www version, or a page you moved.
- 2
Read the chain
Each hop is shown with its status code, from the URL you entered to the page that finally answers.
- 3
Fix what fails
Collapse chains into one redirect, turn temporary 302s into 301s for permanent moves, and break any loop.
- 4
Update your links
Point internal links, your canonical and your sitemap at the final URL so nothing has to redirect at all.
Check more than the redirects
The free audit runs these same redirect checks, plus titles, canonicals, schema, Core Web Vitals and AI-search readiness.
Redirect Checker FAQ
What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 says the page moved for good, so search engines index the new URL and pass its ranking signals there. A 302 says the move is temporary, so they keep the old URL indexed. Use 301 (or 308) for anything permanent.
What is a redirect chain?
Two or more redirects in a row, such as http:// to https:// to www to the final page. Each hop adds a round trip for visitors and costs crawl budget, and some crawlers stop following after a few hops.
What is a redirect loop?
A redirect that leads back to a URL earlier in the chain, so the browser never reaches a page. Browsers show an error, and search engines drop the URL.
Are meta refresh and JavaScript redirects bad for SEO?
They work, but worse than a server redirect. Search engines treat them as soft signals and may only follow a JavaScript redirect after rendering. Use a 301 from the server wherever you can.
Which user agent does the checker use?
Our crawler's, the same one the free SEO audit uses. Sites that redirect bots differently from people, which is cloaking, may show a different chain in a browser.
Is the redirect checker free?
Yes, with no signup.
Need to check more than one issue? Run our free SEO audit tool for 210 automated SEO and AI search checks, with evidence and priority fixes in a shareable report. No email or signup required.