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Nginx to Apache Converter

Translate an Nginx server block into an Apache VirtualHost with equivalent directives.

Runs entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded and no cloud connection is made.
Your Apache VirtualHost will appear here.
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servers
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proxies
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lines

About Nginx to Apache Converter

Moving a site from nginx to Apache usually means hand-rewriting every server block, and the two servers disagree on almost everything: server_name versus ServerName, location versus ProxyPass, and rewrite versus RewriteRule. The Nginx to Apache Converter reads a pasted nginx server block and emits an Apache VirtualHost with the closest equivalent directives, so you keep the same behaviour without memorising two syntaxes.

At the heart of the configuration are a handful of directives. VirtualHost the Apache address:port container that replaces an nginx server block and groups the host directives. ServerName maps directly to the first nginx server_name value, declaring the primary hostname. ServerAlias carries the remaining nginx server_name entries so extra hostnames still reach the same host. DocumentRoot is set from an nginx root directive so static files are served from the same directory. ProxyPass replaces an nginx location with proxy_pass by forwarding the matching path to the upstream. ProxyPassReverse rewrites backend response headers so redirects from the upstream stay behind the Apache front end. RewriteRule is emitted for each nginx rewrite, with RewriteEngine On added automatically. Redirect converts an nginx return directive into a fixed-status Apache redirect. Together they shape how the server behaves, and the tool assembles them in the right context so the result is valid on the first try.

Common mistakes are easy to make. Apache needs the relevant modules (mod_proxy, mod_rewrite) enabled, which this converter cannot turn on for you. An nginx listen 443 ssl becomes a VirtualHost on 443, but you must still add SSLEngine and certificate paths for Apache. A pasted config with no server block cannot be converted, so the tool reports it instead of emitting empty output. The generator anticipates each of these and either sets a safe default or rejects the input with a clear message before anything is written to your clipboard.

Validation is strict because small configuration errors fail in subtle ways. Every input is checked for plausibility, and after the block is assembled it is re-parsed by a built-in tokenizer so unbalanced braces, missing semicolons or stray characters cannot reach your clipboard. Stat cards report line and block counts, and copy, download and print exports are one click away. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is transmitted to any server.

In practice this block drops into any standard nginx install. Save the output as a file under /etc/nginx/conf.d/ (or sites-available with a symlink), run nginx -t to confirm the syntax, then reload with nginx -s reload. Because the generator emits a single, self-contained server block with no hidden dependencies, it composes cleanly with your existing caching, logging and security configuration without directive collisions.

Beyond producing correct config, the tool is a reference you can read back and learn from. Each control maps to a real nginx directive, the sample button shows a complete working block in seconds, and clearing the form resets every field to its safe default. Standardising on a generator like this removes per-developer variation, keeps your configuration readable, and gives you a repeatable, auditable setup that passes nginx -t on the first try.

When something looks wrong in production, the first move is always to re-run nginx -t and inspect /var/log/nginx/error.log; most failures surface there with a line number. The access log records every request, so a sudden spike or a wall of 499 responses points straight at backend or timeout problems the generator helps you avoid in the first place.

This server block is designed to sit alongside - not fight - your other configuration. Because it declares its own server_name and a single, self-contained set of directives, you can drop it into conf.d without worrying about collisions with global caching, logging or security snippets that live elsewhere in the nginx tree.

For a production site, pair this block with TLS termination: serve on 80 for the redirect or health checks, and place the encrypted listener (or a front-end load balancer / CDN) in front so clients always speak HTTPS. The generator keeps that boundary clean so the two layers compose instead of overlapping.

If a change ever needs to be undone, the output is plain text you control: delete the file from conf.d, re-run nginx -t, and reload. There is no database and no hidden state, so rolling back is as simple as restoring the previous version from version control or your own backup.

Performance and correctness both benefit from explicit configuration. Defaults baked into the generator reflect current best practice rather than decades-old forum snippets, so the block you ship today will not surprise you with deprecated directives or insecure fallbacks six months from now.

Features

  • VirtualHost - the Apache address:port container that replaces an nginx server block and groups the host directives.
  • ServerName - maps directly to the first nginx server_name value, declaring the primary hostname.
  • ServerAlias - carries the remaining nginx server_name entries so extra hostnames still reach the same host.
  • DocumentRoot - is set from an nginx root directive so static files are served from the same directory.
  • ProxyPass - replaces an nginx location with proxy_pass by forwarding the matching path to the upstream.
  • ProxyPassReverse - rewrites backend response headers so redirects from the upstream stay behind the Apache front end.
  • RewriteRule - is emitted for each nginx rewrite, with RewriteEngine On added automatically.
  • Redirect - converts an nginx return directive into a fixed-status Apache redirect.
  • Self-verifying output re-parsed before display.
  • Copy, Download and Print exports.
  • Load-sample button fills realistic values.
  • Statistics cards for quick checks.
  • Runs entirely in your browser - nothing uploaded.

How to Use

  1. Paste an nginx server block (or a full config) into the textarea.
  2. Click Convert to Apache and watch the VirtualHost appear.
  3. Review the ServerName, ServerAlias and DocumentRoot lines.
  4. Confirm each location with proxy_pass became a ProxyPass pair.
  5. Check that rewrite and return directives were translated.
  6. Copy or download the Apache config and drop it into your sites-enabled directory.
  7. Run apachectl configtest before reloading.

Examples

Example 1 - Simple host a server block with listen 80 and a single server_name becomes a basic VirtualHost with ServerName.

Example 2 - Multiple names several server_name entries become ServerName plus ServerAlias lines.

Example 3 - Proxy location a location with proxy_pass is translated into ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse.

Example 4 - Rewrite rule an nginx rewrite becomes a RewriteRule with RewriteEngine On added.

Example 5 - No server block pasting only an events block is reported as an error since there is nothing to convert.

Benefits

  • Automatic server block to VirtualHost translation.
  • proxy_pass mapped to ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse.
  • rewrite and return directives converted faithfully.
  • Parsed input so nginx syntax errors surface first.
  • Copy, Download and Download JSON exports.
  • Private: everything runs in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this produce a drop-in Apache config?
It produces an equivalent VirtualHost from the common directives. You may still need to enable mod_proxy, mod_rewrite or adjust paths for your install.
Are proxy_pass directives translated?
Yes - each location with proxy_pass becomes a ProxyPass and ProxyPassReverse pair pointing at the same upstream.
What about SSL listeners?
The listen port (including 443 ssl) is mapped to the VirtualHost address:port; you still configure SSLEngine and certificates separately in Apache.
Are rewrite rules converted?
Rewrite directives become RewriteRule lines, and a RewriteEngine On is added automatically when at least one rewrite is present.
What if my config has no server block?
The converter only translates server blocks, so it reports an error asking you to paste a server context.
Are return redirects handled?
A return with a status and URL becomes an Apache Redirect directive using the same status code and target.
Is the output validated?
The pasted Nginx is parsed first, so syntax errors are reported before any Apache is produced.
Is anything uploaded?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser.