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Free Redirect Checker
Trace the full redirect chain of any URL — see every hop, every status code (301, 302, 307…) and the final destination page. Spot long chains that slow your site and dilute SEO value. No sign-up needed.
How to use the redirect checker
- Paste or type the full URL you want to test (for example
https://example.com/old-page). - Click Trace redirects — the tool follows every hop the URL makes.
- Review the chain table: check each hop's status code and the final destination. If you see more than 3 hops, flatten the chain by pointing the first URL straight at the final page.
About URL redirects
A URL redirect sends visitors and search engines from one web address to another. They happen all the time: old pages moved to new URLs, http upgraded to https, or non-www addresses pointed at the www version. Used correctly, redirects keep your site working smoothly when things change.
But long redirect chains are trouble. Each extra hop adds loading time for real visitors and wastes search engines' crawl budget. Link equity also leaks with every additional jump, so a 5-hop chain can quietly drain the SEO value of a great backlink. The redirect checker above shows you exactly where chains are too long, so you can fix them in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 redirect is permanent — it tells browsers and search engines the page has moved for good, and it passes most of the page's SEO value to the new URL. A 302 redirect is temporary — it signals the move may be reversed, so search engines usually keep the old URL indexed and pass less link equity. Use 301s for permanent moves like site migrations or URL changes, and 302s only for genuinely short-term situations like maintenance pages.
How many redirects in a chain is too many?
Aim for no more than 3 hops in a redirect chain. Longer chains slow down page loads for visitors, waste crawl budget, and dilute the SEO value passed along the chain. If your redirect checker shows 4 or more hops, point the first URL directly at the final destination to flatten the chain.
What does "redirect loop" mean?
A redirect loop happens when URL A redirects to URL B, and URL B redirects back to URL A (or to itself). The browser bounces between them until it gives up and shows an error like "too many redirects". Loops are usually caused by conflicting redirect rules — for example, a www-vs-non-www rule fighting with an http-to-https rule. A redirect checker that shows the same URL repeating confirms the loop.
Do redirects pass SEO value to the final page?
Yes — 301 redirects pass the vast majority of a page's ranking signals (links, authority) to the destination URL. 302 redirects pass less, since search engines treat them as temporary. However, every extra hop in a chain loses a little value and slows the page down, so the best practice is a single direct redirect from the old URL to the final one.