LinkCheckNow
Free link checker · No sign-up

See where a link really goes before you click it.

Paste a short link, a QR code link or any URL. We follow every redirect and show you the final destination, plus anything that stands out.

We check the link on our server, so the final page never opens on your device. Links you check aren't saved.

Example result3 redirects · 0.8 s
  1. bit.ly/x7Kp2
    301 Moved permanently · link shortener
  2. track.click-route.net/r?id=88213
    302 Temporary redirect · tracking step
  3. track.click-route.net/go/next
    302 Temporary redirect
  4. paypa1-account-help.com/login
    200 OK · final destination
What stands out
Look-alike name: "paypa1" uses the number 1 in place of the letter l. The real site is paypal.com.
The final website was registered 3 days ago. Scam sites are often brand new.
It starts with a link shortener, which hides the real address until you open it.

We show facts, not verdicts. A clean result doesn't guarantee a link is safe. How to read your results

Free, no account neededLinks you check aren't storedThe final page never opens on your deviceIndependent and ad-light

Link tools

For everyday links and for site owners checking their own redirects.

Link ExpanderUnshorten any link and see every redirect step to the final page.URL CleanerStrip tracking codes like utm_ and fbclid so you can share a clean link.QR Code Link CheckerUpload or scan a QR code and see where it leads before you visit.Redirect CheckerCheck 301 vs 302 codes, redirect chains and loops on your own site.
Coming soonLink Preview CheckerSee how a link will look when shared on Facebook, X or Discord.
Coming soonHTTP Status CheckerLook up a page's status code and response headers in one click.
Coming soonBulk Link CheckerPaste up to 50 links and check every destination at once.
Coming soonBroken Link CheckerFind links on your web page that no longer work.

How it works

01Paste the link

Copy it from the text, email or post. On a phone, press and hold the link and choose Copy so it doesn't open.

02We follow every step

Our server visits each redirect in turn, so nothing loads on your device.

03You decide

See the final address and anything unusual, then choose whether to visit.

Guides

All guides →
Safety basicsHow to spot a fake linkThe tell-tale signs of a phishing link, and a 30-second routine to check any link before you tap it.QR codesAre QR codes safe to scan?How QR code scams work, where fake codes show up, and how to check one before your phone opens it.For site owners301 vs 302 redirects explainedWhich redirect to use, how search engines treat each one, and how to fix chains and loops.PrivacyWhat tracking codes in links revealWhat utm_, fbclid and gclid mean, what they share about you, and when it is safe to remove them.

What LinkCheckNow checks

Short links and QR codes hide their destination. A link that looks like bit.ly/3xAmPle could lead to a news article, a shop, or a page built to steal your password, and you can't tell which until you open it. LinkCheckNow opens it for you, on our server, and shows you the whole path.

  • Every redirect step, with the status code each server sent back (301, 302 and so on).
  • The final address and the title of the page it lands on.
  • How old the final website is, from public domain registration records. Scam sites are often only days old.
  • Look-alike names such as paypa1 or arnazon, and well-known brand names used on a site that isn't theirs.
  • Other warning signs: raw IP addresses, unusual address tricks, long redirect chains, insecure pages and direct file downloads.
  • Tracking codes added to the link, which you can strip with the URL Cleaner.

We deliberately show facts rather than a "safe" or "dangerous" verdict. No checker can promise that, and a confident green tick can do more harm than good. Instead you get the information you need to decide, written in plain language. To learn the warning signs yourself, start with how to spot a fake link.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to check a link with LinkCheckNow?

Yes. When you paste a link, our server visits each step of the redirect chain for you. The final page never loads in your browser, so nothing on it can run on your device. We don't store the links you check.

Does a clean result mean a link is safe?

No. LinkCheckNow shows you facts about a link: where it really goes, how it gets there, and anything unusual about the address. Brand-new scam pages may look completely normal. Use the result to make your own decision, and when a message pressures you to act fast, contact the company directly instead of clicking.

What kinds of links can I check?

Any public web link that starts with http:// or https://, including short links (bit.ly, tinyurl.com, t.co and others), links from emails and texts, and links from QR codes. We don't check local network addresses, raw IP addresses or other kinds of links such as phone numbers.

Why did the check stop before reaching a page?

Some sites block automated visits, take too long to answer, or redirect more than 10 times. Others forward visitors with JavaScript, which only runs in a real browser. The result tells you where and why the check stopped.

Does LinkCheckNow cost anything?

No. Every tool is free and doesn't require an account. The site is supported by a small number of ads.

Why LinkCheckNow exists

Short links and QR codes hide where they lead. LinkCheckNow is a small, independent site that shows you the full path in plain language, so you can decide for yourself. We don't sell data, and we don't need your email. More about us