.htaccess Generator

iWebSeoTool .htaccess Generator: Build a ready-to-paste Apache configuration file in your browser, with no sign-up and nothing uploaded. Fill in only the parts you need, then copy or download the result and place it on your own site.

Custom error pages (leave blank to skip)

401 page path

403 page path

404 page path

500 page path

IP access control

Off Allow all except the IPs below (block list) Deny all except the IPs below (allow list)

IP addresses (one per line)

Directory index files (one per line)

Files to hide from listings (one pattern per line)

Directory listings

Timezone

Run CGI scripts outside the cgi-bin folder — only enable this if you know you need it; it can be a security risk

CGI extensions (space separated, used only when CGI is on) Show these file extensions as plain text (one per line)

Your .htaccess code

Character Count: 0 Lines: 0

This generator only writes the code — it does not upload anything to your server and does not test the rules. Always keep a backup copy of your current .htaccess before replacing it, so you can restore it if anything breaks. .htaccess works on Apache servers only. The IP rules use the classic Apache 2.2 Order/Allow/Deny style; on Apache 2.4-only setups, ask your host about the Require style instead. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is stored.

How to use this tool

This .htaccess file generator keeps the process simple:

To create an htaccess file, fill in only the sections you need and leave the rest blank.
Press Generate to build the code.
Review the output, then copy it or download it.
Place it in the .htaccess file on your own Apache site, after backing up the version already there.

What it creates

Depending on the options you choose, this htaccess code generator can produce:

Custom error pages for 401, 403, 404 and 500 errors.
An IP block list, to deny named addresses, or an allow list, to admit only named addresses.
Directory index files, so the server knows which file to serve first in a folder.
Directory listing rules, including switching listings on or off and handling hidden files.
A CGI option, with a warning, since enabling CGI in the wrong place can affect how scripts run.
A timezone setting for the site.
Rules that force chosen file types to display as text in the browser.

Before you use the file

If you generate htaccess online, remember the honest limits of a tool like this. It is a generator only: it uploads nothing to your server and tests nothing, so check the output before you rely on it. Always keep a backup of your current .htaccess file, so you can restore it quickly if a new rule breaks the site. The output is for Apache only, not Nginx. Also note that the IP rules use the classic Apache 2.2 Order, Allow and Deny style, so hosts running Apache 2.4 may need the newer Require style instead. For a basic simulation before going live, try the .htaccess Tester.

In short, this Apache configuration maker saves you writing boilerplate by hand, but the final check on a live Apache site is still yours.

Related tools

Frequently asked questions

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Does this tool upload the file to my server or test it?

No to both. This is a generator only: it writes the code in your browser and does not upload anything to your server or test the rules. For a basic simulation, try the .htaccess Tester, then test the file carefully on your live site.

Should I back up my current .htaccess before using a generated file?

Yes, always. Save a copy of your current .htaccess file somewhere safe before you replace it or add new rules. If the new file causes a problem, you can restore the old version straight away instead of trying to rebuild it from memory.

What does this generator create, in plain terms?

It builds ready-to-paste Apache code for the parts you fill in: custom error pages, IP block or allow lists, directory index files, directory listing rules, a CGI option, a timezone setting and rules that force certain file types to display as text. You copy or download the result and place it in your own .htaccess file.

What is an .htaccess file and where does it belong?

An .htaccess file is a small configuration file for Apache web servers. It sits in a folder on your website, usually the root folder, and its rules apply to that folder and the folders below it. Common uses include custom error pages, redirects and access controls.

What is the difference between blocking some IPs and allowing only some IPs?

A block list denies the addresses you name and lets everyone else in, which suits stopping a few known unwanted visitors. An allow list does the opposite: it denies everyone except the addresses you name, which is much stricter and is best for private areas such as a staging site or an admin folder.

Why does my site show a 500 error after I add a generated file?

A 500 error usually means the server could not understand part of the file. Common causes are a typing mistake, a directive your host does not support, or using Apache rules on non-Apache hosting. Restore your backup first to get the site working again, then add the rules back in small sections to find the problem one.

Will these rules work on Nginx hosting?

No. These rules are written for Apache, which reads .htaccess files. Nginx does not use .htaccess at all and needs its own server configuration instead, so ask your host for the equivalent Nginx setup if your site runs on Nginx.