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Nginx Redirect Generator
Build nginx rewrite and return rules from a redirect map.
Quick Tool Overview
The Nginx Redirect Generator writes redirect configuration in the three shapes nginx supports — individual location blocks, return directives, and a map block — and recommends which to use based on how many redirects you have. Past about twenty, a map is the only sensible option, because location blocks are checked in order on every request.
- What it does
- Generates nginx redirect configuration from a URL map
- You give it
- One "old path, new URL" per line
- You get back
- Location blocks, return rules or a map block
- Best for
- Migrations on nginx, and large redirect sets in particular
About the Nginx Redirect Generator
Paste your redirect map and the generator writes nginx configuration in whichever of the three shapes fits: individual location blocks for a handful of redirects, return directives inside a server block, or a map block for hundreds.
The map block is the one worth knowing about. nginx evaluates location blocks in order, so a configuration with five hundred of them is slow on every request, not just the redirected ones. A map is a hash lookup: it is compiled once at startup and costs the same whether it holds ten entries or fifty thousand. Past about twenty redirects it is the only sensible choice, and the generator switches to recommending it automatically. It also reminds you that a map block goes in the http context, not inside server, which is where most first attempts fail to start.
Key features of the Nginx Redirect Generator
Map blocks for scale
A hash lookup compiled once at startup, costing the same at ten entries or fifty thousand.
Context guidance
A map goes in http, not server. That single fact is why most first attempts fail to start.
Three output shapes
Location, return and map, from the same input, so you can see what each looks like.
Chains and loops checked
The same flattening and loop detection as the Apache generator.
Reload reminder
It tells you to run nginx -t first, because a syntax error on restart takes the server down.
How to use the Nginx Redirect Generator
-
1
Paste your redirect map
One per line as "old path, new URL". Full URLs are reduced to paths where they need to be.
-
2
Pick the output shape
Location blocks, return rules or a map block. The tool recommends one based on how many you have.
-
3
Copy the configuration
A map block goes in the http context; location and return go inside the server block.
-
4
Test before reloading
Run nginx -t first. A syntax error there takes the whole server down rather than one rule.
Frequently asked questions
Past about twenty redirects. nginx checks location blocks in order on every single request, so a long list slows everything down. A map is a hash lookup compiled once at startup, and it costs the same at ten entries or fifty thousand.
In the http context, outside and above your server blocks — usually in nginx.conf or an included file. Putting it inside a server block is a configuration error and nginx will refuse to start, which is the most common first mistake with maps.
return, almost always. It is faster and its intent is obvious. rewrite is for cases where you need to capture part of the URL and reuse it in the destination. Using rewrite for a simple redirect works but is slower and harder to read.
A reload is enough and it is graceful — nginx -s reload, or systemctl reload nginx. Always run nginx -t first: a syntax error in a reload is survivable, but the same error on a restart leaves the server down.
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