Heading Structure Checker
Paste any page's HTML and instantly validate your H1–H6 hierarchy. Catch missing H1s, skipped levels, empty tags and long headings before Google and screen readers do.
Paste HTML
Paste HTML on the left to validate the heading hierarchy.
How to Audit Your Headings
Heading structure is an accessibility requirement, a ranking signal, and a readability lever — this tool checks all three in one pass.
Grab your page HTML
In Chrome, right-click the page → "View page source" → Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C. Or export from your CMS. The tool reads the full HTML document.
Paste and review
Headings are extracted in source order, indented by level. Any node highlighted orange or red needs a second look.
Fix errors first
Missing H1, duplicate H1, or a skipped level (H2 → H4) are hard errors. Fix these before warnings — they affect accessibility and ranking most.
Re-run after every edit
Heading structure is easy to break in CMS editors. Re-paste after changes to confirm the hierarchy still reads cleanly from top to bottom.
Heading Hierarchy Rules Every Page Should Follow
These are the same rules WCAG, Google and major screen readers enforce. Get them right once and every page stays compliant.
One H1 per page
The H1 defines the page topic. Multiple H1s confuse screen readers and dilute your keyword signal.
Never skip levels
Heading levels must step down one at a time. H1 → H2 → H3 is correct. H1 → H3 breaks the hierarchy.
Never use for styling
Don't use an H3 because it looks the right size. Use CSS for visual weight — headings are semantic structure.
Keep headings descriptive
Each heading should tell a reader what the section contains, without needing the paragraph underneath.
Stay under 70 characters
Long headings lose scannability and get truncated in SERP sitelinks. Be concrete and cut filler words.
No empty headings
Empty H tags are invisible to readers but seen as missing landmarks by Google and assistive tech.
Include keywords naturally
H2s and H3s are strong on-page signals. Use your primary keyword in the H1 and variations in H2s.
3 – 6 H2s per page
Most blogs and service pages perform best with 3 – 6 H2 sections that map to the searcher's questions.
Why Heading Structure Matters
Healthy heading structure directly improves ranking, accessibility, AI snippets and conversion.
Search & ranking
Accessibility
AI & voice
Conversion
Heading Structure FAQ
Can I have multiple H1s in HTML5?
Technically HTML5 allows one H1 per sectioning element. In practice, Google, screen readers and SEO tools all expect exactly one H1 per page — keep it to one.
Does the tool send my HTML anywhere?
No. Parsing runs entirely in your browser via the native DOMParser. Your HTML never leaves your device.
What's the penalty for skipped levels?
No direct Google penalty, but screen reader users lose navigation landmarks and WCAG audits fail. In competitive niches that's enough to hurt rankings.
Should my H1 match my title tag?
Not exactly — they serve different audiences. The title tag is for SERPs, the H1 is for the on-page reader. They should align in intent, not duplicate word-for-word.
Want a Full On-Page SEO & Accessibility Audit?
Our Australian team reviews every heading, alt tag, schema block and link structure across your site — then hands you a prioritised fix list.
- Manual heading & WCAG review
- Prioritised fix list
- No lock-in commitment
No long-term commitment. Cancel anytime. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.