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Important: Always backup your existing .htaccess file before making changes. Test new rules on a staging environment first.

.htaccess Generator

Create Apache .htaccess configuration files with security headers, redirects, compression, and more. All processing happens in your browser.

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Privacy Guaranteed: All processing happens in your browser. Your data is never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Configuration

settings

Quick Presets

info Presets load default configurations. You can customize them after loading.
security

Security

shield

Security Headers

speed

Performance

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Redirects

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code

Custom Rules

block

Block IP Addresses

error_outline

Custom Error Pages

Generated .htaccess

0 lines 0 characters

About This .htaccess Generator Tool

The .htaccess Generator is a powerful, free online tool that helps you create Apache .htaccess configuration files without manual coding. Whether you're securing your website, setting up redirects, or optimizing performance, this tool generates clean, production-ready .htaccess files instantly. All processing happens in your browser—your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

.htaccess files are Apache server configuration files that allow you to configure server behavior on a per-directory basis without modifying the main server configuration. They're essential for website security, performance optimization, SEO, and functionality. Our generator eliminates the need to manually write complex Apache directives, making it accessible to developers and website owners of all skill levels.

⚠️ Important: Always backup your existing .htaccess file before making changes. Test new rules on a staging environment first. Incorrect .htaccess configurations can break your website. If your site becomes inaccessible after uploading .htaccess, delete or rename the file immediately.

Perfect For:

  • Web Developers: Quickly generate .htaccess files for client projects, implement security headers, and configure redirects
  • Website Owners: Secure websites, enable HTTPS, add security headers, and optimize performance without coding knowledge
  • SEO Professionals: Set up 301 redirects for URL changes, force HTTPS for better rankings, and optimize site structure
  • Security Professionals: Implement security headers, block malicious IPs, protect sensitive files, and harden website security
  • WordPress/Joomla Users: Optimize CMS installations, add security rules, enable compression, and configure error pages
  • E-commerce Sites: Secure online stores, protect payment pages, enable compression, and optimize performance
  • Blog Owners: Secure blogs, enable HTTPS, add security headers, and optimize loading speed
  • Small Businesses: Improve website security and performance without hiring developers
  • Web Agencies: Generate .htaccess files for multiple client websites efficiently
  • Anyone Using Apache: Anyone who needs to configure Apache server behavior without editing server config files

Key Features:

  • Security Headers: Generate X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, X-XSS-Protection, Content-Security-Policy, Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS), Referrer-Policy, and Permissions-Policy
  • HTTPS Redirects: Force HTTPS with 301 permanent redirects for better security, SEO, and user trust
  • URL Redirects: Create 301 (permanent) and 302 (temporary) redirects for URL changes, domain migrations, and SEO
  • WWW Redirects: Redirect www to non-www or vice versa for consistent domain usage and SEO
  • IP Blocking: Block malicious IP addresses, prevent unauthorized access, and protect against attacks
  • GZIP Compression: Enable compression for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other files for faster page loading
  • Custom Error Pages: Configure 404, 403, 500, and other error pages for better user experience
  • File Protection: Protect sensitive files like .htaccess, wp-config.php, .env, and configuration files
  • Browser Caching: Set cache control headers and expires headers for improved performance
  • Custom Rules: Add your own Apache directives with the custom rules editor for advanced configurations
  • Real-Time Preview: See your .htaccess file as you configure options, with line and character counts
  • Copy & Download: Easily copy the generated code or download it as a .htaccess file
  • Privacy-First: All processing happens in your browser—your configuration never leaves your device

Best Practices:

  • Always Backup First: Create a backup of your existing .htaccess file before making any changes
  • Test on Staging: Test new .htaccess rules on a staging environment before applying to production
  • Start Simple: Add rules incrementally and test after each addition to identify issues quickly
  • Check Server Compatibility: Ensure your hosting provider supports .htaccess and the specific directives you're using
  • Validate Syntax: Review generated .htaccess files for syntax errors before uploading
  • Monitor After Changes: Check your website immediately after uploading new .htaccess rules
  • Use Appropriate Redirects: Use 301 for permanent redirects (SEO-friendly) and 302 for temporary redirects
  • Configure CSP Carefully: Content-Security-Policy requires careful configuration to avoid breaking site functionality
  • Keep Rules Organized: Use comments in custom rules to document what each section does
  • Regular Updates: Review and update your .htaccess file regularly as your site evolves

How to Use:

Using the .htaccess Generator is straightforward. Start by selecting the configuration options you need from the left panel. Choose security headers, redirect options, compression settings, error pages, and other features based on your requirements. You can enable or disable each feature independently.

For redirects, enter the source URL and destination URL, then click "Add Redirect" to add it to your list. You can add multiple custom redirects. For IP blocking, enter IP addresses one per line in the text area. For custom rules, add your own Apache directives in the custom rules editor.

As you configure options, the generated .htaccess file appears in real-time in the output panel on the right. Review the generated code, check the line and character counts, then copy it to your clipboard or download it as a .htaccess file. Upload the file to your website's root directory via FTP or your hosting control panel, ensuring it's named exactly '.htaccess' (with the leading dot).

Use Cases & Examples:

Example 1: Enabling HTTPS
After installing an SSL certificate, use the "Force HTTPS" option to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. This improves security, SEO rankings, and user trust. The tool generates a 301 redirect that permanently moves HTTP to HTTPS.

Example 2: Adding Security Headers
Protect your website from XSS attacks, clickjacking, and MIME-type sniffing by enabling security headers. The generator creates proper header directives that work across all modern browsers, significantly improving your site's security posture.

Example 3: URL Migration
When changing your site structure or migrating domains, use custom redirects to maintain SEO value. Add 301 redirects from old URLs to new URLs, ensuring search engines and users are properly redirected without losing rankings.

Example 4: Performance Optimization
Enable GZIP compression and browser caching to improve page load times. The generator creates compression rules for text, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other file types, reducing bandwidth usage and improving user experience.

Example 5: Blocking Malicious Traffic
If you're experiencing attacks from specific IP addresses, add them to the IP blocking section. The generator creates deny rules that prevent those IPs from accessing your site, helping protect against DDoS and other attacks.

Related Tools:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this .htaccess generator free?

Yes, this tool is completely free to use with no registration, limits, or hidden fees. All features are available at no cost.

Is my data private?

Absolutely. All .htaccess generation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your configuration data never leaves your device and is never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Do I need Apache server to use this?

Yes, .htaccess files only work on Apache web servers. If you're using Nginx, IIS, or other web servers, you'll need different configuration methods. Check with your hosting provider to confirm you're using Apache.

Where should I upload the .htaccess file?

Upload the .htaccess file to your website's root directory (the same directory as your index.html or index.php file). The file must be named exactly '.htaccess' (with the leading dot). Rules apply to that directory and all subdirectories unless overridden.

Will incorrect .htaccess rules break my website?

Yes, incorrect .htaccess rules can cause errors, redirect loops, or make your site inaccessible. Always backup your existing .htaccess file before making changes, and test new rules on a staging environment first.

Can I combine multiple .htaccess files?

Yes, you can combine rules from multiple .htaccess files, but be careful about conflicts. Rules are processed in order, and some rules may override others. Test thoroughly after combining rules.

What if my site breaks after uploading .htaccess?

If your site breaks, immediately delete or rename the .htaccess file via FTP or your hosting control panel. Restore your backup if you have one. You can also temporarily rename it to .htaccess.bak to disable it.

Do security headers work on all browsers?

Most modern browsers support security headers, but support varies. X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, and X-XSS-Protection have broad support. Content-Security-Policy (CSP) requires careful configuration to avoid breaking site functionality.

Can I use this for WordPress sites?

Yes, but be careful. WordPress has its own .htaccess rules, and adding new rules can conflict. Always backup your existing .htaccess, test on staging, and consider using WordPress-specific security plugins for some features.

How do I know if my hosting supports .htaccess?

Most shared hosting providers that use Apache support .htaccess. Check your hosting documentation or contact support. If you're using Nginx, IIS, or other servers, .htaccess won't work and you'll need server-level configuration instead.

💡 Pro Tip: Always test .htaccess changes on a staging environment first. Keep a backup of your working .htaccess file. Start with security headers and HTTPS redirects, then add other features incrementally. Use comments in custom rules to document what each section does. If your site breaks, you can quickly disable .htaccess by renaming it via FTP. For WordPress sites, consider using security plugins that handle .htaccess automatically to avoid conflicts.