> headers --security

Free Security Headers Checker With A+ to F Grade

Scan any website’s security headers and get a grade from A+ to F. See which headers are missing or weak, then copy ready-made fixes for Apache, Nginx and Cloudflare.

5.0 (2 ratings) · Built and tested by the SpellMistake team · Your data stays private
AT A GLANCE
  • What it doesGrades HTTP security headers A+ to F
  • AccuracyExact headers, fixed scoring formula
  • Works withAny public website
  • PriceFree, no sign-up, no limit
  • Last reviewed
Website to scan
> define

What Is a Security Headers Checker?

Short answer
A security headers checker is a tool that reads the HTTP headers your website sends and checks the ones that protect visitors. It looks for headers like HSTS and Content Security Policy, grades your site from A+ to F and tells you how to add what is missing.

Security headers are small instructions your server sends with every page. They tell browsers to always use HTTPS, block injected scripts, stop your site from being framed by others and limit what data is shared. They take minutes to add, cost nothing and block common attacks like clickjacking and cross-site scripting.

Quick facts
> how --to

How to Use the Security Headers Checker

Check and fix your security headers in a few minutes.
01

Enter your website

Type your domain or full URL and click check.
02

See your grade

Get a grade from A+ to F and a score out of 100.
03

Review each header

Each header shows good, weak or missing, with what it does in plain words.
04

Copy the fix

Pick Apache, Nginx or Cloudflare and copy the ready-made code.
05

Add it and re-check

Add the headers on your server, clear any cache and check again.

Add headers safely

  • HSTS: only add it once your whole site works on HTTPS, including subdomains if you use includeSubDomains.
  • CSP: start in Report-Only mode, check what it would block, then turn it on.
  • Cloudflare: use Transform Rules to add response headers.
  • WordPress: use our .htaccess Generator on Apache hosting.
Ready to try it? It is free and takes less than a minute.
> ls ./guide

Security Headers Explained

The 6 headers the checker grades, and what each one does.
HeaderWhat it doesGood value
Strict-Transport-SecurityForces browsers to use HTTPSmax-age=31536000; includeSubDomains
Content-Security-PolicyControls which scripts and files may loadA policy without unsafe-inline
X-Frame-OptionsStops other sites from framing your pagesSAMEORIGIN
X-Content-Type-OptionsStops browsers from guessing file typesnosniff
Referrer-PolicyLimits how much of your URL is sharedstrict-origin-when-cross-origin
Permissions-PolicyTurns off browser features you do not usecamera=(), microphone=(), geolocation=()
> cat methodology.md

How the Security Headers Checker Works

Here is exactly how the grade is worked out.
  1. 01

    Your site is requested

    Our server requests your page over HTTPS and also over HTTP to check the redirect.

    Our server
  2. 02

    Headers are read

    The 6 security headers are read from the final response.

    Our server
  3. 03

    Each header is rated

    Each one gets full, partial or zero credit. For example, a CSP with unsafe-inline gets partial credit.

    In your browser
  4. 04

    The score is added up

    Credits are multiplied by each header's weight and added to a score out of 100.

    In your browser
  5. 05

    A grade is given

    The score becomes a letter grade, with fixes for every weak or missing header.

    In your browser

The Scoring Formula

The same formula is used for every site, so grades are fair and repeatable.

Score = sum of (header weight × credit), minus 10 if HTTP does not redirect to HTTPS. Credit is 1 for good, between 0 and 1 for weak, and 0 for missing.

HeaderWeight
Strict-Transport-Security25
Content-Security-Policy25
X-Frame-Options15
X-Content-Type-Options15
Referrer-Policy10
Permissions-Policy10

Grades: A+ is 95 or more, A is 85+, B is 70+, C is 55+, D is 40+, and F is below 40.

> test --report

Is the Security Headers Checker Accurate?

Yes. The checker reads the real headers your server sends at that moment and grades them with a fixed, published formula, so the same headers always get the same grade.
Exact
accuracy level
real server headers
Live check
what results are based on
your server response
Monthly
full re-test
against known answers
24/7
bug reports open
fixed as high priority
What we test every month

Accuracy in plain words

The headers are exact. The grade is our opinion of how strong they are, based on common security guidance. Some sites, like those that must be shown in frames, may choose different values on purpose.

Keep in mind
Security headers are one layer of protection. They do not replace updates, strong passwords, backups and a firewall.
> features

Features of the Security Headers Checker

Everything you need to check and fix your security headers.

A+ to F grade

A clear grade and a score out of 100.

6 key headers

HSTS, CSP, X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy and Permissions-Policy.

HTTPS redirect check

Makes sure HTTP visitors are sent to HTTPS.

Ready fixes

Copy code for Apache, Nginx and Cloudflare.

Plain words

Every header is explained without jargon.

Partial credit

Weak headers are spotted, not just missing ones.

> limits --honest

Limitations of This Tool

No tool does everything. Here is what this one does not do, and what you should do yourself.
What the tool cannot do
What you should do
> whoami

Who Can Use This Security Headers Checker?

Anyone who runs or looks after a website.

Developers

Check headers after a deploy and copy server-ready fixes.

Site admins

Find gaps in your server setup in seconds.

SEO specialists

Add a security check to every technical SEO audit.

Business owners

See how safe your site is, in a grade anyone understands.

> git log

Updates, Bug Fixes and Reviews

We test this tool every month and fix reported bugs as a high priority. Every change is listed here.
Oct 2026

Security Headers Checker launched

First release with A+ to F grading, 6 security headers, HTTPS redirect check and fixes for Apache, Nginx and Cloudflare.

Launch
Every month

Full re-test and rules review

We run the tool against our test cases again and check MDN and OWASP security header guidance for changes.

Monthly

Tool page last reviewed on .

Found a bug or a wrong result?

Tell us what you entered, what happened and what you expected. Our developer checks every report, fixes confirmed bugs as a high priority and tests the fix before it goes live.

> git blame

Who Built and Reviewed This Tool

The SpellMistake team built this tool from our own daily SEO work and official rules.
H
Built and tested by

Hassan

Senior Web Developer, 4+ years
Built the header scan, the scoring formula and the fix templates.
MA
Reviewed by

Muhammad Ahtesham

SEO Strategist and Founder, 4+ years
Checked header values and advice against MDN and OWASP guidance.
A
Guide and help text

Afza

Marketing Expert and Co-founder, 4+ years
Made the labels, tips and this guide simple and easy to follow.

Our standards

This page follows our Editorial Policy and Methodology. If something here is wrong, our Corrections Policy explains how we fix it. Learn more about the SpellMistake team.

> rate --tool

Ratings From Real Users

Did this tool help you? Your rating helps other people find a tool they can trust.
5.0out of 5

Based on 2 real user ratings

  • 5 ★2
  • 4 ★0
  • 3 ★0
  • 2 ★0
  • 1 ★0

Rate this tool

How useful was the Security Headers Checker for you?

Ratings come from real visitors. One rating per person. We never add, edit or remove ratings.

> faq

Security Headers Checker FAQ

Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this tool.

What are security headers?

Security headers are HTTP response headers that tell browsers how to protect visitors, for example by forcing HTTPS or blocking scripts from unknown sources.

Is this security headers checker free?

Yes. It is 100% free, with no sign-up and no limits.

How do I get an A+ grade?

Add all 6 headers with strong values, avoid unsafe-inline in your CSP and make sure HTTP redirects to HTTPS.

Do security headers help SEO?

Not directly. But HTTPS is a ranking signal and a safe site builds trust with visitors. HSTS also makes sure visitors always use the secure version of your site.

How do I add security headers in WordPress?

On Apache hosting, add them to your .htaccess file. On Cloudflare, use Transform Rules. Some security plugins can also add them.

Is X-XSS-Protection still needed?

No. Modern browsers no longer use it. A strong Content Security Policy is the modern way to block injected scripts.

Can security headers break my site?

A strict Content Security Policy can block scripts your site needs. Test it in Report-Only mode first, then turn it on.

Want the technical side fixed for you?
Our technical SEO team finds and fixes crawl, index, speed and server problems across your whole website.