Sitemap.xml Validator
Validate your XML sitemap for errors and compliance with the sitemap protocol. Check URL structure, formatting, and best practices.
Paste your complete sitemap XML here. Load example →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sitemap.xml file?
A sitemap.xml is a structured XML file that lists the URLs of a website, along with metadata like last-modified dates, update frequency, and priority. Search engines use sitemaps to discover and crawl your pages more efficiently — especially useful for large sites or pages with few inbound links.
How many URLs can a sitemap contain?
A single sitemap file can contain up to 50,000 URLs and must be no larger than 50 MB (uncompressed). If your site has more URLs, use a sitemap index file that references multiple individual sitemaps.
Do I need to submit my sitemap to Google?
Yes — submitting your sitemap in Google Search Console (under Indexing → Sitemaps) helps Google discover your pages faster. You should also reference it in your robots.txt file: Sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.
What is the difference between a sitemap and robots.txt?
robots.txt tells crawlers what NOT to crawl. A sitemap tells crawlers what TO crawl and index. They work together: robots.txt blocks unwanted crawling, while the sitemap guides crawlers to your important pages. Both should be kept up to date.
How often should I update my sitemap?
Update your sitemap whenever you add, remove, or significantly change a page. If your site is dynamically generated, auto-generate the sitemap. For static sites like Utively, update it manually when adding new pages. The lastmod field helps search engines prioritize recrawling.