What is the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?

A 301 is a permanent redirect that transfers link equity and SEO value, while 302 is temporary and tells search engines to keep indexing the original URL.

Where is the .htaccess file located?

It is typically located in the root public_html or www directory of an Apache web server.

Why did my site show a 500 Internal Server Error after editing .htaccess?

This usually indicates a syntax error, unclosed directive, or missing mod_rewrite module on your hosting server.

Does .htaccess work on Nginx servers?

No, Nginx does not use .htaccess files; it uses server block configuration files instead.

What does [R=301,L] mean?

R=301 sends a permanent redirect status code to the client, and L (Last) tells Apache to stop processing further rewrite rules if this condition matches.

How can I prevent infinite redirect loops?

Ensure your destination URL does not match the source condition, and check that SSL rewrite rules match your server's SSL port or header.

htaccess Redirect Generator

Turn from -> to URL pairs into Apache .htaccess redirect rules.

Reading time:: 2 min
Last updated:: 5 August 2026
Price:: Free, no signup

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Results (live)

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What the htaccess Redirect Generator does

Create accurate Apache .htaccess 301 redirect rules and URL rewrites without syntax mistakes.

Quickly generate rules for HTTP to HTTPS redirection, non-WWW to WWW canonicalization, trailing slash fixes, and single-page path migrations.

Why the htaccess Redirect Generator is useful

A small typo in an .htaccess file can break your entire website with a 500 Internal Server Error or trigger infinite redirect loops.

Proper 301 redirects preserve SEO ranking authority, pass link equity, and ensure visitors never land on dead 404 pages after site restructuring.

Also known as: htaccess redirect generator, apache redirect generator, 301 redirect generator, free htaccess redirect generator, online htaccess redirect generator, htaccess redirect generator online free, htaccess redirect generator tool.

How to use the htaccess Redirect Generator

1
Select Redirect Rule Type
Choose whether you need a single URL 301 redirect, HTTPS enforcement, WWW canonicalization, or directory rewrite.
2
Specify Old and New Paths
Input your source path or domain and destination target URL.
3
Copy and Paste into .htaccess
Copy the generated RewriteEngine and RewriteRule directives and paste them into your Apache .htaccess file.

Key features

Supports 301 permanent and 302 temporary redirects
Generates RewriteCond and RewriteRule directives with proper flags (L, R=301, NC)
One-click templates for SSL/HTTPS enforcement and WWW domain canonicalization
Escapes special characters to avoid Apache configuration syntax errors

Benefits

Safeguards your site's SEO traffic during migrations and page updates
Eliminates 500 server errors caused by unescaped regex patterns or misconfigured rewrite flags
Saves hours of manual testing and documentation searching for common Apache rules

Real-life use cases

Domain Migration & SSL Setup

Enforce HTTPS and canonical domain naming across all incoming HTTP traffic.

E-Commerce Re-platforming

Map retired product or category URLs to their new equivalents without losing search rankings.

Tips for the best results

Always back up your live .htaccess file before pasting in new redirect directives.
Place specific page redirects before broad wildcard directory rewrite rules.
Test newly implemented rules in incognito mode to avoid browser cache interference.

Conclusion

Accurate .htaccess redirect directives keep your site's SEO equity intact and protect user experience during URL restructuring and server configuration.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?: A 301 is a permanent redirect that transfers link equity and SEO value, while 302 is temporary and tells search engines to keep indexing the original URL.
Where is the .htaccess file located?: It is typically located in the root public_html or www directory of an Apache web server.
Why did my site show a 500 Internal Server Error after editing .htaccess?: This usually indicates a syntax error, unclosed directive, or missing mod_rewrite module on your hosting server.
Does .htaccess work on Nginx servers?: No, Nginx does not use .htaccess files; it uses server block configuration files instead.
What does [R=301,L] mean?: R=301 sends a permanent redirect status code to the client, and L (Last) tells Apache to stop processing further rewrite rules if this condition matches.
How can I prevent infinite redirect loops?: Ensure your destination URL does not match the source condition, and check that SSL rewrite rules match your server's SSL port or header.

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