Choose the features you need for your Apache server
2
Configure Settings
Enter URLs, paths, and other configuration details
3
Download File
Generate and download your .htaccess file
HTTPS Enforcement
WWW Redirect
Custom Redirects
Error Pages
Security
Performance
# Your .htaccess configuration will appear here...
⚠️ Important: Always backup your existing .htaccess file before replacing it. Test the new configuration on a staging server first.
Features
HTTPS enforcement (HTTP to HTTPS)
WWW redirect (add or remove)
Custom 301 redirects
Custom error pages (404, 500)
Directory listing protection
Bad bot blocking
GZIP compression
Browser caching rules
100% client-side generation
Download as .htaccess file
What is .htaccess?
The .htaccess file (hypertext access) is a powerful configuration file used by Apache web servers to control directory-level settings. It allows you to override server configuration directives without modifying the main Apache configuration file, making it ideal for shared hosting environments where you don't have access to the main server config.
.htaccess files are placed in the directory where you want the rules to apply, and they affect that directory and all subdirectories. Common uses include URL redirects, security enhancements, performance optimization, and custom error pages. The file is hidden by default on Unix-based systems (indicated by the leading dot) and is read by Apache on every request, so changes take effect immediately without restarting the server.
Common .htaccess Use Cases
URL Redirects: Redirect old URLs to new ones (301 redirects for SEO)
HTTPS Enforcement: Force all traffic to use secure HTTPS connections
WWW Canonicalization: Standardize URLs with or without www prefix
Performance: Enable compression, set caching headers, optimize delivery
Custom Error Pages: Display branded 404 and 500 error pages
Example .htaccess structure:
# Enable rewrite engine
RewriteEngine On
# Force HTTPS
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
# Custom 404 page
ErrorDocument 404 /404.html
How to Use the .htaccess Generator
Step 1: Select Features
Check the boxes for the features you want to include in your .htaccess file. Common selections include HTTPS enforcement, WWW redirects, and security protections. Each option is independent, so you can mix and match based on your needs.
Step 2: Configure Options
For features that require additional input (like custom redirects or error pages), fill in the text fields with your specific values. Use relative paths for internal redirects and full URLs for external redirects.
Step 3: Generate and Download
Click "Generate .htaccess" to create your configuration file. Review the generated code in the output area, then download it using the "Download .htaccess" button. Upload this file to your web server's root directory or the specific directory where you want the rules to apply.
Step 4: Test Your Configuration
After uploading, test your website thoroughly. Check that redirects work correctly, pages load properly, and there are no unexpected errors. If something goes wrong, you can quickly restore your backup .htaccess file.
Common Use Cases
1. Migrating to HTTPS
When you install an SSL certificate and want to force all visitors to use HTTPS, use the HTTPS enforcement option. This creates a 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS, preserving SEO value and ensuring all traffic is encrypted.
2. SEO URL Canonicalization
Search engines treat www.example.com and example.com as different sites, which can split your SEO authority. Use the WWW redirect option to standardize your URLs, choosing either to add or remove the www prefix consistently.
3. Website Restructuring
When reorganizing your site structure, use custom 301 redirects to point old URLs to new locations. This preserves search engine rankings and ensures visitors using old bookmarks or links reach the correct pages.
4. Security Hardening
Protect your site by blocking directory listing (prevents visitors from seeing file lists), protecting the .htaccess file itself, and blocking known malicious bots that scan for vulnerabilities.
5. Performance Optimization
Enable GZIP compression to reduce file sizes and browser caching to minimize server requests. These optimizations can significantly improve page load times and reduce bandwidth usage.
.htaccess Examples
Example 1: Force HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
Example 2: Remove WWW
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.*)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [R=301,L]
Place the .htaccess file in your website's root directory (usually public_html or www). The rules will apply to that directory and all subdirectories. You can also place .htaccess files in subdirectories for directory-specific rules.
Will .htaccess work on all web servers?
No, .htaccess files are specific to Apache web servers. If you're using Nginx, you'll need to configure rules in the nginx.conf file instead. Check with your hosting provider to confirm which server software you're using.
Can .htaccess slow down my website?
Apache reads .htaccess files on every request, which can add minimal overhead. However, the performance impact is usually negligible. The benefits of using .htaccess (like caching and compression) typically outweigh any small performance cost.
What happens if I make a mistake in .htaccess?
A syntax error in .htaccess can cause a 500 Internal Server Error for your entire site. Always backup your existing .htaccess file before making changes, and test on a staging server if possible. If your site breaks, restore the backup immediately.
How do I test my .htaccess file?
After uploading, test by visiting your site and checking that redirects work correctly. Use browser developer tools to verify HTTP status codes (301 for redirects, 200 for successful pages). Test both HTTP and HTTPS versions if you're enforcing HTTPS.
Can I have multiple .htaccess files?
Yes, you can place .htaccess files in different directories. Rules in subdirectory .htaccess files can override or supplement rules from parent directories. Apache processes them from the root down to the requested directory.
Do I need mod_rewrite enabled?
Yes, many .htaccess features (especially redirects) require the mod_rewrite Apache module to be enabled. Most hosting providers enable this by default. If redirects don't work, contact your host to enable mod_rewrite.
How do I hide the .htaccess file?
The .htaccess file is already hidden by default on Unix-based systems (the leading dot makes it hidden). To protect it from web access, include the "Protect .htaccess file" option in our generator, which adds rules to deny HTTP access to the file.
Can I use .htaccess for password protection?
Yes, .htaccess can be used with .htpasswd files to password-protect directories. This requires additional configuration beyond what this generator provides, but it's a common use case for restricting access to admin areas or development sites.
Is this generator safe to use?
Yes, all generation happens in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. However, always review the generated code before uploading it to your server, and keep a backup of your existing .htaccess file.