XML Sitemap Validator
An XML sitemap validator checks a sitemap or sitemap index before you submit it. Paste the XML or upload the file, and this free tool finds broken XML, wrong namespaces, relative or duplicate URLs, invalid dates, removed image and video tags, and files that go over Google's limits, with the line where each problem starts.
or upload .xml file
(.gz files must be unzipped first)
Validation Summary
Total URLs
0
Errors
0
Warnings
0
| Line | Problem | How to fix |
|---|
What is a xml sitemap validator and when should you use it?
A small mistake in a sitemap, such as an unescaped ampersand or a relative URL, can stop it from being read correctly. Checking it first is quicker than waiting for Search Console to report errors. The tool checks the file you paste; it does not visit the URLs. Build a fresh file with the XML Sitemap Generator, or an index with the Sitemap Index Generator.
How do you use it?
- Paste the sitemap or upload the file.
- Press Validate.
- Fix each problem in the table.
- Validate again, then submit in Search Console.
Working on a comprehensive technical audit? Browse all free SEO tools to discover the next step in your workflow, or contact our technical support team if you require a specialized custom utility.
Result interpretation & practical applications
When evaluating the output of the xml sitemap validator, review the parsed metrics against your specific site architecture. Outputs are formatted for direct implementation into your HTML source, web server configuration, or Google Search Console audit files.
Always inspect generated values for contextual nuance. Automated tools highlight structural patterns, but manual verification confirms that technical directives align with your overarching SEO strategy.
Technical rules and limitations
- Sitemaps use UTF-8, absolute URLs and escaped values.
- A sitemap holds up to 50,000 URLs or 50 MB uncompressed.
- Google ignores priority and changefreq.
- Removed image and video tags are flagged.
Google's guides to building a sitemap and sitemap index files.
Common mistakes and troubleshooting
- An unescaped & in a URL.
- Relative URLs such as /page.
- Dates in a local format such as 10/11/2026.
No tool can promise how a search engine will crawl, index, or rank your pages. This tool generates and validates code against documented technical specifications; you determine where to deploy it, and you should always test changes on staging environments first. Google publishes extensive guidelines in Search Central on evaluating third-party SEO tools and advice. Learn more about our technical testing standards on our about us page, or explore full site audits on our pricing page.
Related free tools & workflows
Browse all Advanced On-Page SEO Tools →Technical SEO Audit Workflows
Indexability & Crawling
Redirects & HTTP Headers
Authoritative Technical Documentation & Standards
This tool executes logic aligned with official technical documentation and search engine webmaster standards:
- Sitemaps.org XML protocol standard
Sitemaps.org: XML Sitemap Protocol Specification
Primary engineering source and technical documentation.
- Google Search Central sitemap documentation
Google Search Central: Build and Submit a Sitemap
Primary engineering source and technical documentation.
XML Sitemap Validator questions
Does it check if my URLs work? ↓
No. It checks the file only.
Can it read .gz files? ↓
No. Unzip the file and paste the XML.
Why are priority and changefreq only information? ↓
Google ignores them, so they aren't errors.
Is this tool free? ↓
Yes. It is completely free to use and requires no registration or subscription.
Does this tool visit my website or store my files? ↓
No. It executes entirely in your local browser runtime. Your inputs and results are never stored or logged on our servers.
Ready for the next step in your audit?
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