Redirect checker
Paste a link to see every redirect it goes through before it reaches the final page, the status code of each step, and what’s slowing it down or breaking it.
How redirects work
A redirect is a signpost. When someone clicks a link, the server can answer “the page you want is over there” instead of showing a page, and the browser follows the signpost. Short links, affiliate links and ad links all work this way. They send the visitor through one or more stops, so each stop can count the click, before the final page loads.
Why long chains hurt
Every stop adds a delay, and mobile connections make each one slower. Some apps give up on long chains and show an error. A link that goes through four or five stops loses visitors before the page even starts to load. Aim for one or two.
What the status codes mean
- 301 and 308: the page has moved for good. Search engines pass the old address’s value to the new one.
- 302, 303 and 307: the move is temporary. Tracking and affiliate links normally use these.
- 200: the final page loaded.
- 404 and 410: the page isn’t there. A link that ends here sends visitors to an error page.
- 5xx: the website had a problem, which may be short-lived.
What this tool flags
- Redirect loops, where the link sends visitors in a circle.
- More than three redirects in a row.
- A secure (https) address that redirects to an insecure (http) one.
- A temporary redirect that looks like it should be permanent.
- A final page that is missing (404 or 410).
- Pages that send visitors on with a meta refresh or JavaScript. We point these out but don’t follow them.
Is this link safe? Check where it really goes first
Before you click a link from an email, text or message you’re not sure about, paste it here. You’ll see the final website it lands on without opening it in your own browser.
Warning signs to look for in the results:
- The final address isn’t the company the message claims to be from, or it’s a lookalike such as
paypa1.com. - The link passes through several unrelated websites before it lands.
- A step uses an insecure (http) address.
- The final page asks you to log in or pay when you weren’t expecting it.
This tool shows where a link goes. It doesn’t scan pages for viruses or check them against lists of known scam sites, so a clean result doesn’t prove a link is safe. When in doubt, go to the company’s website by typing its address yourself.
How to fix a “too many redirects” error
Your browser shows “too many redirects” (in Chrome, ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS) when a link sends it around in a circle, for example from page A to page B and back to A. Paste the link above and this tool shows the loop and the exact steps involved.
Common causes:
- A website set to force https while another setting, often at the hosting company or CDN, sends visitors back to http.
- Two rules that undo each other, such as one that adds “www” and another that removes it.
- A login or cookie redirect that keeps sending you back to the start. If you’re a visitor, clearing that site’s cookies often fixes this one.
If it’s your website, change the setting at one of the steps in the loop so only one rule decides the final address.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 means the page has moved for good, so search engines move the old address’s ranking to the new one and browsers may remember the move. A 302 means the move is temporary, so search engines keep the old address. Use a 301 when a page has moved permanently. Tracking and affiliate links use a 302 or 307 so every click passes through the tracker and the destination can still be changed.
Does this tool follow JavaScript redirects?
No. We follow the redirects the website itself sends, the same ones every browser and link preview follows. If the final page sends visitors on with JavaScript or a meta refresh, we tell you so, but we don’t follow it.
Why does the timing differ from what I see in my browser?
The timing is how long our server waited for each step. Your browser may be faster or slower, depending on where you are and what it has saved from earlier visits.
Some websites show a different result than I expected. Why?
Some sites answer differently depending on the visitor, such as showing a login page, asking for cookies, or blocking automated checks. We check as a plain visitor with no cookies and no login.
Is there a limit?
Yes, to keep the tool free and fast for everyone. If you run many checks in a short time you’ll be asked to wait a little before the next one.
Do you keep the links I check?
No. We don’t save the address you enter or what we find. To limit abuse we keep your IP address for up to two days to count how many checks you’ve run.
Keep your links fast and working
Simple Click Tracker Pro links redirect in a single hop, count every click, and watch for destinations that stop working so you can fix them before visitors notice.
See how it works