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Heading Checker

Check a page heading structure on our server and review the H1 to H6 outline the HTML actually exposes. Use it as an H1 checker or to find skipped levels. Nothing is stored.

This check runs on our server. The address you enter is used only for this check and is not stored.
Built by · Updated

Mode: Heading outline

Tick the box to show you are not a robot, then press Check.

How to use the Heading Checker

  1. Enter the page URL.
  2. Run the check.
  3. Read the heading tree and fix any missing H1, repeated H1, skipped level, or empty heading issues.

How it works

The tool fetches one page, reads the HTML, and extracts every h1 through h6 element in source order. It then builds an outline tree and checks for structural issues such as no H1, more than one H1, skipped levels like H2 to H4, empty headings, and very long headings.

Because no JavaScript runs, the outline reflects the server response rather than any headings added later in the browser.

Examples

  • A page that jumps from H1 to H3 gets a skipped level warning.
  • A page with two H1 tags can still render fine, but the checker flags the duplication so you can simplify the structure.
  • An empty heading used only for spacing is reported because it adds noise for screen readers and search tools.

What a good heading outline looks like

Headings work like the table of contents of a page. The H1 names the whole page, each H2 starts a main section, and H3s split a section into parts. A short guide might look like this:

H1 How to repot a cactus
  H2 What you need
  H2 Step by step
    H3 Remove the plant
    H3 Trim the roots
  H2 Aftercare

Read only the headings and you should understand what the page covers. Screen reader users do exactly that: they jump from heading to heading to find the part they need, and a missing level or a heading used only for its size breaks that path.

Common heading mistakes

  • The site logo wrapped in an H1 on every page, so the real page title becomes a second H1.
  • Headings picked for their font size, such as an H4 used for small grey text, instead of styling a paragraph.
  • Jumping from H2 straight to H4 because the H3 style looked too large.
  • Sidebar and footer widgets marked as H2s, which mixes site furniture into the page outline.
  • Empty heading tags left behind by a page builder after the text was removed.

Most of these are fixed in the theme template once, not page by page.

Limitations

  • The tool checks one page only.
  • It cannot tell whether the visible design makes a heading look too large or too small. It only reads the HTML structure.
  • JavaScript-generated headings are not counted because the check does not render the page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check the H1 of a page?

Enter the page URL and run the check. The heading tree lists every H1 with its text, and the issues list warns when there is none or more than one.

Is more than one H1 always wrong?

Not always, but it often makes the page structure less clear. Most pages are easier to understand with one main H1 and lower levels beneath it.

Why do skipped heading levels matter?

They can make the outline harder to follow for both readers and assistive technology. A logical order also helps keep the page easier to scan.

Does heading order affect rankings directly?

There is no fixed ranking bonus for a perfect outline, but clear headings help search engines and visitors understand the page.

Often used together with Heading Checker.

  • Website SEO Analyzer

    Checks one page for SEO basics, response details, tags, headings, links, and structured data without running JavaScript.

  • Website Word CounterInternet Tools

    Counts main content and all page text from a URL, with top words, keyword density, reading time and downloadable text.

  • Meta Tag Generator

    Build page title, description, canonical, robots, and other basic head tags.