HTTP response headers are metadata sent by a web server before the actual page content. They control caching behavior, security policies, content encoding, cookie settings, and redirect instructions. Examining headers is essential for debugging issues like incorrect redirects, missing security headers, caching problems, and content-type mismatches. Security professionals check for headers like Strict-Transport-Security, X-Frame-Options, and Content-Security-Policy. SEO professionals look at redirect chains, canonical headers, and caching directives.
Enter a domain name or full URL in the field above and click "View Headers." The tool sends an HTTP HEAD request to the server and displays every response header returned. HTTPS is used by default. If the HTTPS connection fails, the tool automatically retries with HTTP.
Key headers to look for: "Strict-Transport-Security" means the site enforces HTTPS. "X-Frame-Options" prevents clickjacking attacks. "Cache-Control" and "Expires" control how browsers and CDNs cache the page. A "301 Moved Permanently" status means the URL has been redirected. Check the "Location" header to see where it points. Missing security headers are one of the most common findings in security audits.
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