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How to Check SSL Certificates - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Enter Your Domain Name

Simply enter the domain name you want to check in the input field. You can check any publicly accessible website with an SSL/TLS certificate. The tool follows TLS 1.3 standards for secure certificate validation:

Domain only: Enter just the domain (e.g., example.com)
No protocol needed: Don't include https:// or www
Quick test: Try sample domains like google.com or github.com

Example: Checking a Domain

Enter your domain name and click "Check SSL":

Domain: example.com
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Click "Check SSL" button
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Certificate details will load automatically
Step 2

Review Certificate Status

The tool will fetch and display comprehensive certificate information including validity status, expiration date, and security details:

Validity status: See if the certificate is currently valid
Expiration warning: Get alerts for certificates expiring soon
Days remaining: See exactly how many days until expiration

Example: Certificate Status Information

The checker displays key certificate information:

Status: Valid
Domain: example.com
Issuer: DigiCert Inc
Valid Until: Dec 15, 2026
Days Remaining: 320 days
Step 3

View Detailed Certificate Information

Explore comprehensive details about the SSL certificate, including:

Subject Information: Domain, organization, and location details
Issuer Details: Certificate Authority that issued the certificate
Technical Details: Serial number, signature algorithm, protocol
Fingerprints: SHA-256 and SHA-1 certificate fingerprints
SANs: Subject Alternative Names (all covered domains)
Step 4

Download or Copy Certificate

Save the certificate details for your records or further analysis:

Copy PEM: Copy certificate to clipboard in PEM format
Download PEM: Save certificate as .pem file
Download JSON: Export all certificate details as JSON

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SSL certificate checker?

An SSL certificate checker is a tool that retrieves and displays information about the SSL/TLS certificate installed on a website. It helps verify certificate validity, expiration dates, issuer details, and security configuration following CA/Browser Forum requirements.

How do I check if a website has a valid SSL certificate?

Simply enter the domain name in our SSL checker tool and click "Check SSL". The tool will fetch the certificate and display its status, including whether it's valid, expired, or expiring soon. Valid certificates will show a green status indicator.

Why is my SSL certificate showing as expired or invalid?

An SSL certificate can show as expired or invalid for several reasons: (1) The certificate has passed its expiration date, (2) The certificate was issued for a different domain, (3) The certificate wasn't issued by a trusted Certificate Authority, or (4) There's a configuration issue with the certificate installation. Check SSL Labs for detailed analysis.

How often should I check my SSL certificate?

It's recommended to check your SSL certificate at least monthly, especially if you manage multiple websites. Most importantly, check it 30 days before expiration to ensure you have time to renew it. Setting up automated monitoring is ideal for production websites.

What are Subject Alternative Names (SANs)?

Subject Alternative Names (SANs) are additional domain names that are covered by the same SSL certificate. For example, a single certificate might cover both www.example.com and example.com. Modern certificates often include multiple SANs to protect different subdomains, as described in SAN certificate documentation.

Can I check SSL certificates for localhost or internal domains?

No, this SSL checker only works with publicly accessible domains. It cannot check certificates for localhost, internal networks, or domains that are not reachable from the public internet. For internal certificates, you'll need to use command-line tools like OpenSSL.

Is it safe to check my SSL certificate using this tool?

Yes, absolutely! The tool only retrieves publicly available SSL certificate information that anyone can access. We don't store or share any data about the domains you check. The certificate information is fetched directly from the target website's server.

What's the difference between SSL and TLS?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). While we commonly say "SSL certificate," modern websites actually use TLS protocol. The terms are often used interchangeably, and the certificates work with both protocols, though TLS is more secure and widely used today.