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HSTS Checker FAQ

Find clear answers to common questions about HSTS Checker, including usage, output, and common issues.

About this FAQ

Use this HSTS checker to verify whether a domain returns the Strict-Transport-Security header and inspect key values such as max-age, includeSubDomains, and preload. It is useful for HTTPS hardening, security reviews, deployment checks, and header validation.

HSTS Checker is useful for quick network checks, validation, and troubleshooting when you want a simple browser-based result.

Frequently asked questions

What is HSTS?

HSTS stands for HTTP Strict Transport Security. It tells browsers to use HTTPS for future requests to the site.

What does this checker look for?

It checks whether the Strict-Transport-Security header is present and reads important directives such as max-age, includeSubDomains, and preload.

What should I enter?

Enter a domain or hostname like example.com.

Why is HSTS useful?

It helps reduce downgrade and insecure transport risks by forcing browsers to prefer HTTPS.

What does includeSubDomains mean?

It means the HSTS policy also applies to subdomains, not just the main hostname.

What does preload mean?

It signals that the domain may be intended for browser preload lists, though preload status itself is a separate process.

When should I use HSTS Checker?

HSTS Checker is useful for quick network checks, validation, and troubleshooting when you want a simple browser-based result.

What should I check if hsts checker gives an unexpected result?

Start by checking the input format, removing accidental spaces or unsupported characters, and comparing your input against the example pattern on the page.

Common issues people run into

A full URL with paths is pasted instead of a clean domain.

Fix: Enter only the domain or hostname, such as example.com.

The site redirects or blocks the request and no HSTS result is returned.

Fix: Retry with the canonical HTTPS domain and confirm the site is reachable.

The header exists only on HTTPS but the test uses the wrong target.

Fix: Check the final secure hostname that serves the HTTPS response.

The domain has HSTS but expected directives are missing.

Fix: Review max-age, includeSubDomains, and preload separately in the output.

Need more than answers?

If you want to see realistic input and output patterns, open the examples page. If you want step-by-step usage guidance, open the guide page.

Try the tool

Open the main HSTS Checker page to test your own input and generate a live result.

Open HSTS Checker