Sitemap Validator
Validate your XML sitemap structure and check for common issues. Ensure search engines can properly discover and index all your important pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the size limits for an XML sitemap?
A single sitemap may contain at most 50,000 URLs and must stay under 50MB uncompressed. Past either limit, split it into several sitemaps and reference them from a sitemap index file.
Do I need lastmod, changefreq and priority?
Only lastmod is worth maintaining, and only if it is accurate — Google ignores changefreq and priority entirely, and it discounts lastmod too once it notices the dates do not reflect real changes.
Is the Sitemap Validator free to use?
Yes. Every tool on this site is completely free, with no account, no signup, and no paid tier to upgrade to.
Do I need to install a browser extension or any software?
No. The Sitemap Validator runs online, in the browser you already have. It works the same on desktop and mobile, and there is nothing to download, install, or add to Chrome.
Related Tools
Related Reading
Why Sitemaps Matter
XML sitemaps help search engines discover and understand your website structure. A well-configured sitemap can improve how quickly new content gets indexed and ensure important pages aren't missed.
Sitemap Structure
A valid sitemap must use proper XML format with the correct namespace. Each URL should be wrapped in a <url> tag with a <loc> element containing the full URL.
Lastmod Dates
Including lastmod dates tells search engines when content was last updated. This helps prioritize crawling of recently changed pages and can speed up indexing of updates.
URL Limits
Each sitemap file can contain up to 50,000 URLs and must be under 50MB. For larger sites, use a sitemap index file to reference multiple sitemap files.
Sitemap Index
A sitemap index file allows you to organize multiple sitemaps. This is useful for large sites or when separating different content types (pages, posts, products).
Robots.txt Integration
Add your sitemap location to robots.txt so search engines can automatically discover it. Use the directive: Sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
Grade Breakdown:
- A (85-100) - Excellent sitemap
- B (70-84) - Good, minor improvements
- C (50-69) - Fair, missing elements
- D (30-49) - Poor, significant issues
- F (0-29) - No sitemap or critical errors
Need Help With Your Sitemap?
Our team can help you create and optimize your XML sitemap, configure automatic generation, and ensure proper search engine indexing. Book a free discovery call.