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Free tools / Hreflang checker

Free hreflang checker

Enter a page. The tool reads its hreflang tags and visits each language version to check it exists and links back.

We load the address you type to check it, and we do not keep your results. After a few checks in an hour, Cloudflare Turnstile may ask you to confirm you are a person.

What this tool checks

  • Reads the hreflang tags in the page head
  • Checks the language and country codes look valid
  • Visits up to 12 versions for errors and redirects
  • Checks each version links back (return tags)
  • Looks for a self-reference and an x-default

Why it matters

Hreflang tags tell Google which language or country each version of a page is for. Small mistakes, like a missing return tag, make them ignored.

Want this for every page of a website? See Language checks in SEOSage.

Source: Google Search Central: localized versions.

How to read your result

  • Each row is one language version listed in the page head.
  • Links back shows Yes when that version also points to this page.
  • x-default names the fallback page for visitors whose language is not listed.
  • Only the page head is read. Hreflang set in a sitemap or an HTTP header is not shown.

Common problems and fixes

  • A missing return tag. Add a link back from every version to this page.
  • An invalid language code. Use a two-letter language code, with an optional region, such as en-GB.
  • A version redirects or errors. Point hreflang at the final, working address.
  • No x-default. Add one for visitors whose language you do not cover.

More free tools

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Questions about the hreflang checker

What is hreflang?

Hreflang is a tag that tells search engines which language or region a page is meant for, and where its other language versions are.

What is a return tag?

If page A points to page B with hreflang, page B must point back to page A. Without that, Google may ignore both.

What is x-default?

It names the page to show when none of your languages match the visitor.

Can SEOSage check hreflang for a whole website?

Yes. A crawl flags invalid codes, hreflang that points to a broken page or redirect, missing return tags, and a missing self-reference or x-default.

Check every page of your website

SEOSage crawls your whole website on your own computer, with no page limit, and lists what to fix. Free for 14 days, cancel any time.

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