.htaccess Generator
Easily create configuration files for your Apache server. Secure, redirect, and optimize your website with a few clicks.
What is an .htaccess File?
The .htaccess (Hypertext Access) file is a powerful configuration file used by Apache-based web servers. It allows you to override server-wide settings for a specific directory and its subdirectories. By using this file, you can manage URL redirects, enhance security, enable compression, and control how your website loads without needing access to the main server configuration files.
Why You Need a Correct .htaccess File
- SEO Redirections: Properly redirecting
httptohttpsandnon-wwwtowww(or vice versa) prevents duplicate content issues and consolidates your domain authority. - Website Speed: Enabling Gzip compression and Browser Caching via .htaccess significantly reduces page load times, a key Google ranking factor.
- Security: You can block directory browsing (so people can't see your file lists), prevent hotlinking (saving bandwidth), and protect the .htaccess file itself from being viewed.
- User Experience: Setting up custom 404 pages ensures that visitors aren't greeted with a generic server error when a page is missing.
Common Configurations Explained
Our tool automates the creation of complex rules. Here is what they do:
301 Redirects (Permanent)
A 301 redirect tells search engines that a page has moved permanently. This transfers the SEO "juice" to the new URL. Our tool handles the most critical domain-level redirects automatically.
Hotlink Protection
This prevents other websites from linking directly to your images (e.g., embedding your image on their site). This steals your server bandwidth. Our generator creates rules to block these requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I upload the .htaccess file?
The file should be uploaded to the root directory of your website (often named public_html or www). If a file named .htaccess already exists, make sure to back it up before replacing it.
My site crashed (Error 500) after uploading. Why?
This usually happens due to a syntax error in the file. Even a single missing character can cause a crash. Simply delete the .htaccess file from your server (or restore the backup) to bring your site back online, then verify your settings.
Does this work on Nginx servers?
No, .htaccess files are specific to Apache and LiteSpeed servers. Nginx uses a different configuration syntax (usually nginx.conf).