What is a redirect checker?
A redirect checker follows a URL from its starting address to its final destination and shows each HTTP redirect and status code along the way.
Use it to see:
- whether a URL redirects
- which HTTP status codes appear
- where every redirect hop goes
- whether the final destination works
- whether the chain loops
How to check a URL redirect
- Paste the original URL.
- Select Check redirect.
- Review every hop in the redirect path.
- Check the HTTP status code for each URL.
- Confirm that the final destination is the page you expect.
301 vs 302 vs 307 vs 308 redirects
| Code | Duration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent | The resource has permanently moved |
| 302 | Temporary | The move is temporary |
| 307 | Temporary | Temporary redirect preserving request semantics |
| 308 | Permanent | Permanent redirect preserving request semantics |
301 and 308 tell clients the move is meant to last. 302 and 307 tell clients the move is temporary. Temporary redirects are valid when the change really is temporary — the useful question is whether the type matches the intent.
What is a redirect chain?
A
301
↓
B
301
↓
C
200
A redirect chain occurs when the original URL redirects to another URL that itself redirects again before reaching the final destination.
Why redirect chains matter
Extra hops add network work before anyone reaches the page. That can slow navigation, make debugging harder, and leave a path that breaks later if one intermediate URL changes. Search engines can follow redirects; the practical issue is unnecessary complexity, not that every redirect is a ranking problem.
Where you can, point the original URL directly at the final destination.
Common redirect problems
Redirect chains
Several hops before a working page. Collapse them when the extra steps are only protocol, host, or leftover paths.
Redirect loops
Two or more URLs keep sending traffic to each other, so no stable page is reached.
Broken redirect destinations
The path ends on a URL that does not return a successful response.
Temporary redirects used for permanent moves
A 302 or 307 is fine for a short-lived move. If the URL has moved for good, a 301 or 308 is usually the clearer signal.
Multiple protocol or hostname hops
A common pattern:
http://example.com
↓
https://example.com
↓
https://www.example.com
↓
https://www.example.com/final
Those steps can often be one redirect from the original URL to the final address.
Redirect checker FAQ
What is a 301 redirect?
A 301 is a permanent redirect. It tells browsers and search engines that the resource has moved for good.
How do I check where a URL redirects?
Paste the original URL above and run the check. The result shows each hop, HTTP status code, and the final destination.
What is the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?
301 is permanent. 302 is temporary. Use 301 or 308 when the move is meant to last; keep 302 or 307 when it is not.
What is a redirect chain?
A chain is two or more redirects before the final page. The original URL should usually point once at that destination.
How many redirects are too many?
One hop to the final destination is usually enough. Several hops are worth collapsing when they only exist because of leftover HTTP, www, or path rules.
Can redirects affect SEO?
Redirects are a normal part of the web. Problems show up when they loop, break, or add unnecessary hops on URLs people and crawlers actually use.
What causes a redirect loop?
Two or more URLs that keep sending traffic to each other, so no stable page is ever reached.
What does "too many redirects" mean?
The path hit the hop limit before a final response. Simplify the configuration so the original URL reaches a stable destination.