Free SEO tool · Technical SEO
Hreflang Checker
Check the language and region versions a page declares: valid hreflang codes, a self-reference, x-default, and whether each version links back.
- PASS deLists itself
- PASS enLinks back
- ISSUE frDoesn’t link back to this page
- NOTE x-defaultMissing
What does the free Hreflang Checker analyze?
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1
Valid codes
Language codes like en or de, optionally with a region like en-GB.
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2
One URL per code
Two different URLs for the same code is a conflict.
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3
Self-reference
A page should list itself among its alternates.
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4
x-default
The version for everyone else — often the language picker or the main edition.
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5
Return links
Each version must link back; one-way hreflang is ignored.
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6
Reachable versions
Up to 12 alternates are loaded to confirm they answer and link back.
How to set up hreflang
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1
List every version on every version
Each page lists all alternates, itself included.
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2
Use full URLs
Absolute https addresses, the canonical version of each page.
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3
Add x-default
Point it at the version for everyone else.
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4
Keep canonicals separate
Each language version is canonical to itself, not to the main one. Meta Tag Checker →
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5
Mirror it in the sitemap if you prefer
hreflang can live in the HTML head or in the sitemap. Sitemap Finder & Validator →
How to interpret your results
- ISSUE
- A clear fault that usually deserves a fix, e.g. a missing title or a non-200 status.
- WARNING
- May be a problem depending on the page, e.g. a missing description or canonical, or a long title.
- PASS
- Checked and looks fine.
- NOT CHECKED
- Not part of this check, or blocked by the site. The report says which — it is never counted as a fault.
Hreflang Checker vs Website Audit vs SEO Monitor
Hreflang Checker
One URL · free · no account
Check language versions: valid codes, self-reference, x-default and links back.
You’re hereWebsite Audit
Many pages · free quick crawl
Crawls a limited set of pages and groups issues across your site, like duplicate titles and potential orphan pages.
Run a website audit →SEO Monitor
Connected data · account
Uses your Search Console and GA4 to track clicks, queries and changes over time.
Explore SEO Monitor →FAQ
Frequently asked questions
About the Hreflang Checker.
01
When do I need hreflang?
Only when the same content exists in several languages or for several regions.
02
Why must versions link back?
Google ignores hreflang that only points one way, so every version has to confirm the others.
03
What is x-default?
The version to show when no language or region matches — often a language picker or your main edition.
04
Language or language-region?
Use the language alone (de) unless you target a region with different content (de-AT).
05
Why only some alternates?
We load up to 12 versions to stay fast; the rest are listed but not loaded.
06
Is it free?
Yes. No account is needed. We limit how often one visitor can run checks so the tools stay fast for everyone.
