Permalink Structure Tester
Build a WordPress permalink structure from tags, enter sample post values, and see the resulting URL update live. Everything runs in your browser.
Common presets
Permalink structure
Sample post data
Preview
%postname% (or %category%) forces WordPress to check every request against page and post rules, which is slower on large sites. Lead with a numeric tag like %year% or %post_id% for the fastest routing.| Tag | Value used | Description |
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About the Permalink Structure Tester
The Permalink Structure Tester lets you build a WordPress permalink structure from tags such as %postname%, %year%, %monthnum%, and %category%, then see the exact URL a post would get. Enter sample post values once and the preview updates as you type, so you can compare structures before changing them in Settings > Permalinks. It is built for WordPress developers, site owners, and SEO-minded editors who want to confirm a URL format up front. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing is sent to a server.
How it works
- Pick a common preset or click tags to insert them into the structure field, or type the structure manually.
- Fill in the sample post data: slug, post ID, author, date, and category.
- Read the generated URL in the preview, with each tag replaced by your sample value, and check the tag reference table.
- Watch for the performance note when a structure starts with %postname% or %category%, then click Copy to grab the result.
Features
- Live URL preview that resolves every tag against your sample values as you type.
- One-click presets for the standard WordPress options: Plain, Day and name, Month and name, Numeric, Post name, and Category/post.
- Tag insert buttons for %year%, %monthnum%, %day%, %post_id%, %postname%, %category%, and %author%.
- Performance warning when a structure leads with %postname% or %category%, which can slow URL routing on large sites.
- Tag reference table showing each tag, the value used, and a short description.
Frequently asked questions
Does this change my site's permalinks?
No. This tool only previews how a structure would resolve. To apply a structure on your site, copy it into Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress admin.
Why does it warn about starting with %postname%?
When a structure begins with %postname% or %category%, WordPress cannot tell from the start of the URL whether the request is a page or a post, so it checks more rules per request. Leading with a numeric tag like %year% or %post_id% lets WordPress route faster, which matters on sites with many pages.
Which tags are supported?
It supports the common structure tags: %year%, %monthnum%, %day%, %post_id%, %postname%, %category%, and %author%. You can mix them with static text and slashes in any order.
Why does my real URL look different?
The preview uses the sample values you enter and a placeholder domain. On a live site, WordPress fills these from the actual post, and %category% uses the first assigned category while %postname% comes from the post slug.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The structure and sample values are resolved entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or logged.