Configure Your .htaccess File
Choose the rules you need and instantly generate production-ready .htaccess code.
CATEGORIES
PRESETS
Redirects & URL Rewriting
Security Headers & Protection
Performance Optimization
Custom Error Pages
Access Control
# Enable rules to generate .htaccess code
About .htaccess Files
An .htaccess file is a configuration file used by the Apache web server to control directory-level settings. It allows you to configure redirects, URL rewrites, caching policies, security headers, access control, and more without editing the main Apache configuration file.
Common Use Cases
- Force HTTPS: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS for security and SEO.
- URL normalization: Force www or non-www to avoid duplicate content penalties.
- Custom error pages: Show branded 404, 403, or 500 pages instead of generic server errors.
- Performance: Enable Gzip compression and browser caching to reduce bandwidth and improve load times.
- Security: Block malicious IPs, prevent hotlinking, disable directory browsing, and add security headers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an .htaccess file?
An .htaccess file is a configuration file used by Apache web servers to control directory-level settings like redirects, URL rewrites, caching, authentication, and security headers. It allows you to configure server behavior without editing the main Apache config.
Where do I place the .htaccess file?
Place the .htaccess file in the root directory of your website (the same folder as your index.html or index.php). Rules in .htaccess apply to that directory and all subdirectories unless overridden by another .htaccess file deeper in the tree.
How do I force HTTPS with .htaccess?
Use a RewriteRule to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. Enable the "Force HTTPS" option in this generator to see the exact code.
Does .htaccess work on all servers?
No. .htaccess only works on Apache web servers and some compatible servers like LiteSpeed. It does not work on Nginx, IIS, or other server software. Most shared hosting plans use Apache.
Privacy & Limitations
- All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
- Results are computed locally and should be verified for critical applications.
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.htaccess Generator FAQ
What is an .htaccess file?
An .htaccess file is a configuration file used by Apache web servers to control directory-level settings like redirects, URL rewrites, caching, authentication, and security headers. It allows you to configure server behavior without editing the main Apache config.
Where do I place the .htaccess file?
Place the .htaccess file in the root directory of your website (the same folder as your index.html or index.php). Rules in .htaccess apply to that directory and all subdirectories unless overridden by another .htaccess file deeper in the tree.
How do I force HTTPS with .htaccess?
Use a RewriteRule to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. The standard pattern is: RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off followed by RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]. This checks if HTTPS is off and redirects to the same URL with https://.
What is the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?
A 301 redirect is permanent and tells search engines to update their index to the new URL. A 302 redirect is temporary and does not transfer SEO value. Use 301 for permanent changes (like site migrations) and 302 for temporary situations.
How do I block an IP address with .htaccess?
Use the Deny directive inside a <RequireAll> or <Limit> block. For Apache 2.4+, use: Require all granted followed by Require not ip xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. For older Apache versions, use: Order allow,deny, Allow from all, Deny from xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx.
Does .htaccess work on all servers?
No. .htaccess only works on Apache web servers (and some compatible servers like LiteSpeed). It does not work on Nginx, IIS, or other server software. If you are on a shared hosting plan, Apache is likely your server, but check with your host to be sure.