How to Check Redirect Status Code of a URL

When I first started checking redirects, I assumed if a page “loads fine,” everything is okay. Later I realized a page can load perfectly and still pass through multiple redirects, wrong status codes, or unnecessary hops that slow things down and affect SEO.

If you want to check redirect status properly, you’re really trying to answer one question:
What status code is the server returning, and how many steps happen before the final page loads?

A redirect status code tells your browser or crawler what happened to the original URL.
The most common ones you’ll see are:

• 301 → permanent redirect
• 302 → temporary redirect
• 307 / 308 → newer versions of temporary/permanent redirects

Method 1: Check Redirect Status Using Browser Developer Tools

This is the most reliable method if you want to see exactly what happens step by step.

Here’s how I usually do it:

1. Open the URL in Chrome
2. Right-click → Inspect
3. Go to the Network tab
4. Reload the page
5. Click the first request in the list

You’ll see:

• Status code (301, 302, etc.)
• Location header (where it redirects)
• Full redirect chain

What makes this useful is that you don’t just see the final page. You see every hop.

Method 2: Use Command Line (Fast and Accurate)

If you want a quick check without opening a browser, this is the fastest way.

curl -I https://example.com

This shows the response headers, including the status code.

If you want to see the full redirect chain:

curl -I -L https://example.com

From experience, this is the method I use when checking multiple URLs quickly.

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Method 3: Use Online Redirect Checker Tools

If you don’t want to deal with technical tools, online checkers make this very easy.

You paste your URL and instantly see:

• Status code
• Redirect chain
• Final destination

This is the easiest option if you’re not technical.

Method 4: Use Browser Extensions

If you check redirects often, extensions save time.

Examples:

• Redirect Path
• Link Redirect Trace

Once installed, you just visit a page and it shows:

• Status codes
• Redirect path
• Any issues

I use this when auditing websites quickly.

Check Also: Free AI SEO Checker Tool

How to Know If Your Redirect Is Correct

This is where most people get confused.

A redirect is usually correct when:

• It uses 301 for permanent changes
• It avoids multiple redirect chains
• It leads directly to the final URL

From experience, long redirect chains are one of the most common issues I see during audits.

How to Know If Your Redirect Is Correct

This is where most people get confused.

A redirect is usually correct when:

• It uses 301 for permanent changes
• It avoids multiple redirect chains
• It leads directly to the final URL

From experience, long redirect chains are one of the most common issues I see during audits.

Common Problems You Should Watch

• 302 used instead of 301
• Multiple redirects (A → B → C → D)
• Redirect loops
• Slow loading due to unnecessary hops

Even if everything “works,” these problems can hurt performance and SEO.