It uses client-side fetch to detect redirects (may be limited by CORS).

URL Redirect Checker

Check if a URL redirects to another location. Analyze redirect chains.

Note: This tool runs in your browser. It attempts to detect redirects using fetch API. Due to browser security (CORS), it may not be able to follow all redirect chains or see the final URL for some domains.

Enter URL to Check

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URL Redirect Checker - Analyze Redirect Chains

Trace the path of any URL to see where it goes. Our free URL Redirect Checker allows you to follow the complete redirect chain (301, 302, meta refresh) to the final destination. Essential for SEO audits, link building, and troubleshooting website migrations.

ℹ️ Did you know? Too many redirects (redirect chains) can dilute "link juice" (PageRank), slow down page loading speed, and waste crawl budget for search engine bots. Google recommends avoiding chains longer than 3-5 hops.

Why Check URL Redirects?

1. SEO Audits & Link Equity

Ensure that your backlinks pass maximum value. A 301 redirect passes most link equity (ranking power), while a 302 redirect is temporary and may not pass equity in the same way. Identifying and fixing long chains preserves your site's authority.

2. Troubleshooting Migrations

After moving a site to a new domain or changing URL structures (e.g., HTTP to HTTPS), use this tool to verify that old URLs correctly redirect to their new counterparts without loops or errors.

3. Security & Safety

Shortened URLs (like bit.ly) can hide malicious destinations. Use this checker to "unshorten" links and see exactly where they lead before clicking, protecting you from phishing or malware sites.

4. Affiliate Link Verification

Affiliate marketers can verify that their tracking links are redirecting correctly and that the proper cookies/parameters are being passed to the merchant site.

Understanding HTTP Status Codes

200 OK: The request was successful. The final destination page loaded correctly.
301 Moved Permanently: The URL has moved permanently. Search engines should update their index to the new URL. Passes link equity.
302 Found (Temporary Redirect): The URL has moved temporarily. Search engines should keep the old URL in the index.
307 Temporary Redirect: Similar to 302, but ensures the method (GET/POST) doesn't change.
404 Not Found: The page does not exist. A broken link.
500 Server Error: The server encountered an internal error.

How to Use the Redirect Checker

Step 1: Enter URL

Paste the URL you want to analyze into the input box. You can enter standard URLs (https://example.com) or shortened links.

Step 2: Analyze

Click the "Check Redirects" button. The tool will simulate a browser request and follow the path.

Step 3: Review Results

View the step-by-step chain. You'll see:

Status Code: The HTTP response for each step.
URL: The location for that step.
Headers: (Optional) Server headers sent with the response.

💡 SEO Tip: If you find a chain like A → B → C, update your internal links to point directly from A → C. This reduces latency and improves user experience.

Common Redirect Issues

Redirect Loops

Occurs when URL A redirects to URL B, and URL B redirects back to URL A. This causes the browser to get stuck and eventually display an error ("Too many redirects").

Broken Redirects

A redirect chain that ends in a 4xx (Client Error) or 5xx (Server Error) status. The user never reaches a valid page.

Mixed Content Chains

Redirects that switch between secure (HTTPS) and insecure (HTTP) protocols. This can trigger security warnings in browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this tool follow Meta Refresh redirects?

Our tool primarily traces server-side HTTP redirects (3xx status codes). Client-side redirects like Meta Refresh or JavaScript redirects may not always be captured depending on the method used, as they execute in the browser after the page loads.

Is there a limit to the number of redirects?

Most browsers stop following redirects after about 20 hops to prevent infinite loops. Our tool will also stop if a loop is detected or the chain becomes excessively long.

What is a "canonical" URL?

A canonical URL is the preferred version of a page that you want search engines to index. Redirects help enforce canonicalization (e.g., redirecting non-www to www).

Why is my 301 redirect showing as 302?

Check your server configuration (.htaccess, Nginx config) or CMS plugins. Some plugins default to 302 (temporary) redirects unless specified otherwise. For SEO, 301 is usually preferred for permanent moves.