Apache .htaccess to Nginx Converter
Convert common Apache .htaccess rewrite rules into Nginx configuration syntax.
Paste your Apache .htaccess file into the box below to instantly convert its rewrite rules, 301 redirects, and basic security restrictions into Nginx configuration syntax. This tool bridges the gap for web developers who are migrating high-traffic websites from legacy Apache environments to high-performance Nginx servers.
Unlike Apache, which parses .htaccess files on the fly during every single page load (causing disk I/O bottlenecks), Nginx requires all rewrite rules to be hardcoded directly into the main server configuration memory. This makes Nginx incredibly fast, but it requires a completely different syntax.
How it works
Apache's mod_rewrite engine relies on a complex sequence of RewriteCond (conditions) and RewriteRule (actions) directives. Nginx handles URL routing quite differently, relying on hierarchical location blocks and native rewrite or return statements.
Pattern Matching: This converter engine scans your input for common Apache paradigms. If it detects a standard WordPress "Front Controller" pattern (where all missing files are routed to index.php), it instantly translates that into Nginx's highly optimized try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args; directive.
Basic Redirects: It parses standard Redirect 301 /old /new lines and translates them into Nginx's native rewrite ^/old/?$ /new permanent; syntax.
Security Note: Nginx does not natively support `.htaccess` files. You cannot simply upload the output of this tool to your web root. You must have root SSH access to your server (or a compatible control panel) to paste this output into your Nginx virtual host configuration file (usually located in /etc/nginx/sites-available/) and then reload the Nginx service.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a 100% perfect translation?
No. Apache and Nginx have fundamentally different architectural designs. Complex Apache rules utilizing multiple chained `RewriteCond` back-references or specialized Apache modules (like `mod_security` or `mod_headers`) cannot be perfectly translated via regex. This tool handles the 80% most common use cases (like WordPress, Magento basic rewrites, and simple 301s). Always test the output on a staging server!
How does Nginx handle WordPress permalinks?
Nginx handles WordPress beautifully without complex rewrite rules. The tool will convert the massive default WordPress `.htaccess` block into a single, highly optimized Nginx directive: `try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args;`.
Where do I paste the Nginx output?
The generated Nginx directives must be placed inside the `server { ... }` block of your Nginx configuration file for that specific domain. Do not paste it outside the server block, or Nginx will crash upon restarting.
Does Nginx support directory-level restrictions like Apache?
Yes, but instead of putting an `.htaccess` file inside the directory, you must define a `location /directory/ { ... }` block in your central Nginx config. Our tool converts Apache `Deny from all` directives into Nginx `deny all;` rules.
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