How to use the Hreflang Tag Generator
- 1. List versionsOne line each: a code like en-IN or hi-IN, a bar, and the full URL.
- 2. Add x-defaultThe page for visitors whose language you do not have.
- 3. Pick a formatHTML tags for the head, sitemap entries, or an HTTP header for PDFs.
Worked example
The sample has English for India, Hindi for India, English for the US and generic English, plus an x-default home page. The output is 5 entries, from hreflang="en-IN" to hreflang="x-default". Codes are tidied to the standard form, so EN-in becomes en-IN. The tool also notices that hi-IN has no plain hi version and reminds you that x-default or a generic page catches Hindi speakers elsewhere.
Choose the XML option and each URL gets a url entry listing every alternate with xhtml:link, which suits large sites where editing every page head is hard.
Rules that break hreflang when missed
- Return links: every version must list all the others and itself. If en-IN points to hi-IN, hi-IN must point back.
- Valid codes: language first (ISO 639-1), region second (ISO 3166-1). The UK region is GB, so the tool rejects en-UK; in-EN is also wrong.
- Canonical URLs only: each URL must be indexable, return 200 and not canonicalise elsewhere.
- One method: use HTML tags, the sitemap or headers, not a mix that disagrees.
Hreflang helps search engines choose between versions; it does not translate pages or redirect visitors. Make sure each version's canonical points to itself with the canonical tag generator, and build the sitemap with the XML sitemap generator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need hreflang for a single-language site?
No. It is only for pages that exist in more than one language or regional version.
Is a region code required?
No. Use just the language (hi, en) unless the content really differs by country, such as prices in rupees versus dollars.
Is the Hreflang Tag Generator free?
Yes, the Hreflang Tag Generator is free. The first time you generate your first tag set, you are asked for your name and WhatsApp number once. After that, this and every other Uncodemy tool opens straight away without the form.