To check what a website returns right now, send a request to its exact URL with curl and inspect the HTTP status, headers, and—if needed—the response body. To tell whether it stays available, use a recurring uptime check with alerts and meaningful response validation. A single request only shows what one client could reach at one moment.
Check a website’s HTTP response with curl
curl sends an HTTP request directly from your terminal, without relying on browser rendering. The following command displays connection details and response headers while discarding the response body:
curl -svo /dev/null https://www.example.com/Replace the example URL with the exact address you want to test, including https:// or http:// and the relevant path. Cloudflare documents this approach for troubleshooting HTTP and HTTPS requests, checking headers and performance, and comparing public and origin responses: Cloudflare HTTP troubleshooting.
The command above uses /dev/null to discard the body. If the status is unexpected, repeat without that output redirection so you can inspect the returned content:
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
curl -sv https://www.example.com/Check the final HTTP status and relevant response headers. A completed connection does not prove the page is correct: an application may return an error page with a successful status, or the response may be incomplete. Follow redirects as appropriate and make sure you are testing the same URL visitors use.
Choose the right kind of availability test
| Need | Method | What it tells you | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick status and header check | curl from a terminal |
How the URL responded from your client and network at that time | One observation; results can vary by network or location |
| Compare a CDN or proxy with the origin | Test the public URL and, if authorized, the origin | Whether responses differ between the edge and origin | Requires correct origin details and permission |
| Monitor ongoing public availability | Recurring HTTP/HTTPS uptime check with alerts | Repeated reachability against configured success criteria | Status-only checks may miss incorrect page content |
| Check access as Google | Search Console URL Inspection live test | Whether Google’s inspection system can access the URL and related diagnostics | Does not establish access for all visitors or guarantee search appearance |
Diagnose proxy, CDN, and origin failures
If a site uses Cloudflare or another proxy and the public request fails, compare it with an authorized direct-origin request. Cloudflare documents the --connect-to option for testing an origin while requesting the public hostname; use the actual origin address supplied by the site operator:
curl -sv --connect-to www.example.com:443:ORIGIN_IP:443 https://www.example.com/Replace ORIGIN_IP with the authorized origin address. This keeps the requested hostname and HTTPS URL while directing the connection to the specified origin. Do not probe an origin you are not authorized to access. If there are multiple origin servers, test each: their responses may differ. Compare the status, headers, and body from the public endpoint and origin to help locate whether the problem is at the edge or origin.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Set up ongoing availability monitoring
For an ongoing view, configure a recurring HTTP or HTTPS check rather than relying on manual requests. Google Cloud’s uptime checks, for example, send periodic HTTP, HTTPS, or TCP requests from multiple locations and can be paired with alerting. Its HTTP(S) checks follow redirects and evaluate the final response against configured criteria. See Google Cloud uptime checks.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Validate more than a successful status
Google Cloud HTTP/HTTPS checks default to requiring a 2xx status and do not inspect the response body. Where supported, configure accepted status codes and a payload check—such as matching text, a regular expression, or a JSON path—so a technically successful but incorrect or incomplete response does not pass unnoticed. See Google Cloud uptime checks and response validation.
Compare monitor settings before choosing one
When selecting a monitoring service, compare its check frequency and history, probe locations, redirect behavior, accepted statuses, body validation, TLS checks, and alerting. Also consider what the probe represents: a managed monitoring location is not necessarily the same as an ordinary visitor’s network. The cited documentation describes examples of these capabilities, not a neutral vendor ranking.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Check whether Google can access a page
Use Search Console’s URL Inspection for a URL in a property you own when the question is specifically whether Google can fetch it. The live test reports access and indexability-related information, including response details such as HTTP headers. Open URL Inspection and run the live URL test.
Do not confuse the live result with the indexed report: the indexed view reflects Google’s last indexed version and may not match the current page. A positive live test indicates access under Google’s test conditions; it does not establish general visitor availability or promise that the page will appear in search results.
Understand common failure symptoms
A failed request does not always mean the whole website is down. Search Console documents distinct live-test problems including an unresponsive DNS server or unknown host, an unreachable or refusing server, invalid or truncated responses, an invalid SSL certificate, unreachable robots.txt, and an overloaded host. Some server errors are transient and can appear in one live test but not another. See Search Console URL Inspection.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- DNS or host lookup: The hostname may not resolve, or the DNS service may be unresponsive.
- Connection refused or unreachable: The server or network path may not accept the connection.
- Invalid or truncated response: The server may have returned malformed or incomplete data.
- TLS or certificate error: The HTTPS certificate may be invalid for the connection.
robots.txtissue: Google may be unable to retrieve the file used for crawl instructions.- Host load exceeded: The server may not be handling requests reliably under its current load.
For Google-specific checks, distinguish crawl access from indexing directives. A page may be fetchable but disallowed from indexing, for example by a noindex directive. Search Console’s live and indexed views answer different questions, so compare them with the public request and recurring monitor rather than treating any one result as the whole story.
Or skip the browser setup
If you need a screenshot of the page as well as a direct availability check, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. It does not replace uptime monitoring: use it to capture what a page looks like, and use recurring checks for ongoing availability.
One GET request can return a screenshot or PDF. For example, this cURL request saves a WebP screenshot of the target page:
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://www.example.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for request options. Cookie banners are accepted and removed before capture, along with supported consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers identify the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server gives AI agents tools to take screenshots, inspect page information, and capture PDFs. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000.
Sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month, with no card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an HTTP 200 status prove a website is available and working?
No. It reports a successful HTTP response for that request, but not whether the expected content is present or whether the site will remain reachable. Use body validation and recurring checks when those matter.
Does Search Console URL Inspection prove my page is available to every visitor?
No. It reports Google’s access under its live-test conditions. Visitor access can differ, and the indexed report may reflect an earlier version.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
