.htaccess Generator
Options
# --- Rewrite rules ---
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
# Force HTTPS
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
# Redirect www to non-www
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.+)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [L,R=301]
</IfModule>
# --- Gzip compression ---
<IfModule mod_deflate.c>
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/plain text/xml text/css text/javascript
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/javascript application/x-javascript application/json
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/xml application/rss+xml image/svg+xml
</IfModule>
# --- Browser caching ---
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
ExpiresActive On
ExpiresByType image/jpg "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/jpeg "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/png "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/webp "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/svg+xml "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/x-icon "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType text/css "access plus 1 month"
ExpiresByType application/javascript "access plus 1 month"
ExpiresByType text/html "access plus 1 day"
</IfModule>Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the .htaccess file
What is the .htaccess file and where does it go?
The .htaccess file is an Apache web server configuration file that lets you define directory-level rules: redirects, URL rewriting, security, caching and compression. Place it in your site's root folder (usually public_html or www); it affects that folder and its subfolders. The name starts with a dot and has no extension.
Does it work on Nginx?
No, the .htaccess file is specific to Apache (and compatible servers like LiteSpeed). Nginx does not use .htaccess: the same rules must be translated into the server configuration (server/location blocks in nginx.conf). If your host uses Nginx, this file will have no effect.
My site shows a 500 error after uploading the file, why?
A 500 error after editing .htaccess usually means a required module (mod_rewrite, mod_deflate, mod_expires) is not enabled on the server, or there is a syntax error. The rules here are wrapped in <IfModule> blocks precisely to avoid crashes if a module is missing. If it persists, remove rules one at a time to find the culprit and check with your host which modules are active. Always back up the previous file.
What is the htaccess file?
It is the configuration file that sets rules for a single folder on Apache: redirects, address rewriting, caching, compression and restrictions. It goes in the root folder of the site.
Does it work on Nginx too?
No, htaccess is read by Apache and compatible servers such as LiteSpeed. On Nginx the same rules have to be rewritten in the server configuration, inside the server and location blocks.
Why does the site give a 500 error after the change?
Usually a module is missing among mod_rewrite, mod_deflate and mod_expires, or there is a syntax error. That is why the generated rules sit inside IfModule blocks, which switch them off when the module is absent.