Redirect Rule Generator
About Tool
Properly managing URL changes is vital for maintaining search engine rankings and ensuring users don't encounter dead ends. Writing server-level redirects by hand often leads to syntax errors that can bring down a website. This generator creates perfectly formatted redirect rules for Apache, Nginx, and IIS servers based on your specific URL mapping, bridging the gap between SEO strategy and technical implementation.
Configuring the Rule Details
Start by selecting your target Server Type. The syntax for an Apache .htaccess file is entirely different from an Nginx configuration block or an IIS web.config XML structure. Next, determine the Redirect Type. A 301 (Permanent) redirect tells search engines to pass link equity to the new page, while a 302 (Temporary) indicates the move is strictly short-term.
If you are auditing existing redirects to see if they were implemented correctly, using the HTTP Header Parser will show you exactly what status code the server is returning. If your new target URL includes complex tracking tags, the URL Parameter Extractor can help verify that the destination is formatted cleanly.
Defining the Paths
Enter the Old Path / URL (the route that is being retired) and the New Target URL (the active destination). The generator processes these inputs and applies the correct regex or exact-match syntax required by your chosen server environment. Clicking Generate Rule populates the output block with the exact text you need.
Implementation and Usage
The Generated Redirect Rule is ready for immediate deployment. Use the Copy Rule button to grab the snippet without inadvertently selecting extra spaces. Always paste these rules into a staging environment before pushing them to a live production server to ensure they don't conflict with existing routing directives. The Clear button lets you quickly move on to the next URL in your migration spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use a 301 vs a 302 redirect?
Use a 301 for permanent changes, such as migrating to a new domain or permanently changing a slug. Use a 302 only for temporary scenarios, like a site maintenance page.
Do I include the domain name in the Old Path?
For most Apache and Nginx setups, the old path is relative (e.g., "/old-page"), while the new target is often absolute (e.g., "https://example.com/new-page"). Follow the syntax generated by the tool.
Where do I paste an Apache rule?
Apache rules are typically pasted into the `.htaccess` file located in the root directory of your website.
Will these rules work on WordPress?
If your WordPress site runs on Apache or Nginx, these server-level rules will work and are generally faster than using a WordPress PHP plugin for redirects.
Similar Tools
-
.Htaccess Redirect Generator
Generate .htaccess redirect rules for domain, page, or HTTPS redirect scenarios.
-
CSP Generator
Generate starter Content Security Policy rules from common site requirements.
-
Embed Code Generator
Generate generic HTML embed snippets for URLs, videos, maps, and custom sources.
-
HTML Link Generator
Generate HTML anchor tags with rel, target, and title attributes from plain inputs.
-
HTTP Header Parser
Parse pasted HTTP headers into a readable key-value view for debugging workflows.
-
Iframe Generator
Generate iframe embed code with sizing and attribute options for web pages.
-
Query String Builder
Build query strings from key-value pairs without manual URL encoding mistakes.
-
URL Parameter Extractor
Extract and inspect query parameters from URLs in a compact readable table.
Reviews