Question 1

How do I convert .htaccess to nginx?

Accepted Answer

Paste your Apache .htaccess into the left box and the converter emits the equivalent nginx directives: rewrite rules, try_files fallbacks, add_header cache and security headers, gzip_types and error_page blocks. Copy the result into a server block inside /etc/nginx/nginx.conf, then run sudo nginx -t before reloading.

Question 2

Can nginx read a .htaccess file directly?

Accepted Answer

No. .htaccess is an Apache-only per-directory configuration mechanism. Nginx reads a single global configuration file and has no equivalent per-directory override file, so Apache directives must be translated into nginx syntax by hand or with a converter.

Question 3

Why does my Apache RewriteCond become an nginx if block?

Accepted Answer

Apache evaluates RewriteCond lines sequentially and only applies the next RewriteRule when every condition is true. Nginx has no per-rule condition stack, so the equivalent is an if block that wraps the rewrite. Two common patterns have cleaner nginx equivalents: a static-file plus directory check becomes try_files, and simple host redirects become server blocks with return 301.

Question 4

Will the generated config work on my server as-is?

Accepted Answer

Always review the output before deploying. The converter handles the common directives, but Apache-specific features such as mod_rewrite RewriteMap, .htaccess auth, php_flag values, proxying and mod_deflate byte filters have no automatic equivalent and are listed as manual review notes. Test with nginx -t, then reload.

Question 5

Is my .htaccess uploaded anywhere?

Accepted Answer

No. The entire conversion runs locally in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing is sent to a server, logged or stored. You can safely convert configuration files that contain internal hostnames.