01
Supply both sides of a pair
One record proves only what that page declares. Add the target page’s head as another record to distinguish a missing return link from an unverified target.
International SEO
hreflang checkerInspect the links you actually supplied
Add each page URL and its HTML or link tags, then run a local check. URL fields are references only; no page is fetched.
hreflang checker
Page 1
Add a page or load the example.
Only pasted content is checked in this tab. Page URLs are never fetched.
Options
Add a page or load the example.
Before a multilingual release, a single page can look correct while its sibling omits a return link. This hreflang checker compares the snapshots you paste, so the missing edge is visible beside its source and target.
A one page hreflang validator cannot prove return tags on other pages. Here you can add their markup, inspect a canonical conflict and copy a proposed tag set only when language to URL mappings are clear.
Why use this hreflang checker
A local view of the evidence in your pasted pages.
Return links need both ends
The matrix separates a reciprocal pair from a missing return tag. If a target page has not been supplied, its cell says unverified instead of treating an unseen page as broken or healthy.
A draft can stay private
Page URLs are only labels for the pasted HTML. The checker never requests them. Review self references, duplicate language codes and canonical warnings before you test the deployed site separately.
Check the evidence before copying tags
02
Choose the policy deliberately
The expected language list starts empty and x-default is optional. Turn on the x-default requirement only when your release plan actually includes a fallback page.
03
Read the matrix, then export
This check runs only when you press Check or Ctrl/Cmd+Enter. Any edit makes the earlier result stale and disables export until you run it again.
What the local audit can establish
Pairwise return checks
A cell links a source declaration to the supplied target page, then checks whether the target points back. It does not infer missing HTML from a URL alone.
Language and self reference checks
Invalid or repeated hreflang values, omitted self links and optional expected languages become page specific issues with line numbers.
Canonical and tag guidance
A cross language canonical to another supplied page is flagged; other nonself canonicals get review warnings. Suggested HTML tags require an unambiguous language mapping.
Scope of this check
- No live fetch
- The URL field does not trigger a request. Redirects, HTTP status, deployed headers and indexability are outside this pasted HTML check.
- Unknown is not failure
- An alternate target without a supplied page is unverified, not a failed return tag. Even a complete pasted set is not proof of what the live server sends.
- Fallback is a choice
- A missing x-default is reported as an issue only when you enable that requirement. The tool does not mark every pair invalid because one language is missing.
Hreflang checker questions
Do hreflang tags have to be reciprocal?
Yes for a relationship you want checked: page A and page B should declare each other. This tool confirms that only when you provide markup for both; otherwise it marks the target unverified.
Should canonical point to the same URL on every language page?
Usually each localized page uses its own canonical. A different URL can be intentional for same language regional variants, so this tool calls for review; a cross language target in the supplied set is a stronger conflict.
Is x-default required?
No. x-default is a recommended fallback for unmatched users, not mandatory on every site. The requirement switch is off by default.
How should a language code be written?
Use a language code such as en, optionally with region as en-GB or script as zh-Hant. Reserved regions such as UK are not accepted here; x-default is a special fallback value.
Does this checker fetch every alternate page?
No. The checker only parses the pages pasted into this tab. It does not crawl URLs, sitemaps, response headers or JavaScript rendered changes.
Still have a question?
Use the hreflang checker now
Paste each version’s head, run the local matrix, and carry the issue list into your release review.
Keep the hreflang checker beside your template edits so every newly added locale gets checked against the existing versions.
Your pasted HTML remains in this browser tab.