3-Step WordPress HTTPS Redirect via .htaccess (Ultimate 2025 Guide)
If your WordPress site still loads with http:// instead of https://, it’s time to fix it. Implementing a wordpress https redirect is one of the fastest ways to boost your website’s SEO, security, and credibility. In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll set it up using only the .htaccess file—no plugins required.
Why HTTPS Matters for WordPress
An HTTPS redirect forces all visitors to use the secure version of your website. Without HTTPS, credentials and form data travel in plain text, vulnerable to interception. Google also treats HTTPS as a ranking signal, so redirecting from HTTP to HTTPS improves both security and SEO visibility.
Step 1 — Locate Your .htaccess File
Access your hosting control panel (such as cPanel, DirectAdmin, or Plesk) or connect via FTP. Go to the WordPress root directory—usually public_html or www. If the .htaccess file isn’t visible, enable “show hidden files.” This file controls rewrite and redirect rules for your site.
Step 2 — Add the Redirect Rule (wordpress https redirect)
Edit the .htaccess file and place the rule at the very top:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
</IfModule>
What this does: detects when HTTPS is off, redirects visitors to the secure version, and sends a 301 Permanent Redirect signal so browsers and Google know which version to index. After saving, every HTTP request automatically redirects to its HTTPS counterpart.
Step 3 — Save and Verify the Redirect
After saving changes, type http://yourdomain.com in your browser. It should instantly jump to https://yourdomain.com. If not, clear cache and try again. You can verify the redirect path using Redirect Checker or check the browser’s Network tab for a 301 response.
Benefits of HTTPS Redirect for WordPress
Setting up a wordpress https redirect offers long-term advantages that go beyond simple encryption. HTTPS improves visitor trust by eliminating browser “Not Secure” warnings and helps your website comply with modern privacy standards. It’s also essential for sites using cookies, APIs, or e-commerce transactions, ensuring all data remains encrypted end-to-end.
From a performance standpoint, HTTPS works better with modern CDNs and HTTP/2, providing faster loading speeds. For SEO, Google consistently prioritizes HTTPS pages in its ranking algorithm, making the redirect not just a security necessity but also a growth strategy for visibility and traffic. In short, HTTPS redirection is one of the easiest upgrades with the highest impact.
Alternative Method (Plugin Option)
If you prefer not to edit code manually, install a plugin like Really Simple SSL. It automatically detects your SSL certificate and forces HTTPS across your entire site. However, the manual .htaccess method is lighter, faster, and avoids plugin overhead.
Extra HTTPS Optimization Tips
- Ensure your SSL certificate is valid and renews automatically (e.g., Let’s Encrypt).
- On Cloudflare, enable Full (Strict) SSL and Automatic HTTPS Rewrites.
- Update all internal links from
http://tohttps://using a plugin like Better Search Replace. - Implement HSTS once everything loads securely:
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload - Always back up
.htaccessbefore editing.
FAQ: wordpress https redirect
Why doesn’t my redirect work?
Check that SSL (port 443) is active on your hosting. If you’re behind a CDN or proxy, ensure HTTPS forwarding is properly configured.
Can I redirect www to non-www with HTTPS?
Yes. Example rule:
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.(.*)$ [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%1/$1 [L,R=301]
Final Thoughts
Implementing a wordpress https redirect using .htaccess takes minutes but delivers lasting SEO, trust, and performance improvements. It’s a one-time setup that boosts rankings and credibility while keeping user data safe. For more technical WordPress tutorials, visit our WordPress Guides.
Meta: wordpress https redirect via .htaccess — 3-step 2025 guide for secure and SEO-friendly WordPress sites. Add the rule, verify redirects, and optimize SSL/HSTS easily.
