Heading Structure Checker
Free heading structure checker — fetch any page and analyse its H1–H6 outline, flag missing or multiple H1s and hierarchy skips for better SEO.
About the Heading Structure Checker
A logical heading hierarchy helps both search engines and screen-reader users understand a page's structure. This free heading structure checker fetches any page server-side and lays out its full H1–H6 outline, indented by level, so you can see the document's skeleton at a glance.
It counts the headings, checks that there is exactly one H1, and flags hierarchy skips — places where the page jumps from, say, an H2 straight to an H4 without the intermediate level. Missing H1s, multiple H1s and empty headings are all called out with clear pass, warn or fail verdicts.
Well-structured headings improve SEO by clarifying topic hierarchy and improve accessibility by giving assistive technology a navigable outline. Use this tool to audit your own pages or study how competitors organise their content, then copy the outline for your notes.
How to Use the Heading Structure Checker
- 1Enter the page URL you want to analyse.
- 2Click Check headings to fetch and parse the page.
- 3Review the indented H1–H6 outline and heading counts.
- 4Fix any flagged issues like missing H1s or level skips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many H1 tags should a page have?
Best practice is exactly one H1 per page — it should describe the page's main topic, like a headline. Multiple H1s dilute that signal and can confuse assistive technology, while a missing H1 leaves the page without a clear title. This tool flags both cases.
What is a heading hierarchy skip?
A skip is when heading levels jump out of order — for example an H2 followed directly by an H4, with no H3 in between. It breaks the logical outline that screen readers and search engines rely on. Headings should step down one level at a time and can jump back up freely.
Do headings affect SEO?
Yes, indirectly. Headings help search engines understand a page's structure and the relationship between sections, and a clear H1 reinforces the page's topic. They are not a strong direct ranking factor, but a well-organised heading outline supports readability, featured snippets and overall content quality.
Why do headings matter for accessibility?
Screen-reader users navigate pages by jumping between headings, so a correct H1–H6 outline lets them scan and reach sections quickly. Skipped levels or missing headings make that navigation confusing. Proper heading structure is a core requirement of WCAG accessibility guidelines.
Should I use headings for styling?
No — never pick a heading level just because it looks the right size. Choose heading levels to reflect the content's structure and use CSS to control appearance. Using an H4 for visual size when it should be an H2 breaks the semantic outline for search engines and assistive tech.