How this WordPress slug generator works
WordPress auto-builds a permalink from your title. That is convenient, and often too long: stop words, filler phrases, and years inflate the URL without helping search or click-through. This free WordPress SEO slug generator turns a title into a short, hyphenated slug you can paste into the permalink field before you publish.
No plugin. No signup. Everything runs in your browser — titles never leave your device.
WP auto-slug vs SEO-optimized
WordPress keeps almost every word. An optimized slug keeps the primary topic and drops filler.
| Title | WP auto | Optimized |
|---|---|---|
| How to Fix a Slow WordPress Website in 2026 | how-to-fix-a-slow-wordpress-website-in-2026 |
fix-slow-wordpress-website-2026 |
| The Complete Guide to WooCommerce Shipping Rules | the-complete-guide-to-woocommerce-shipping-rules |
woocommerce-shipping-rules |
| Best WordPress Maintenance Plan for Small Business | best-wordpress-maintenance-plan-for-small-business |
wordpress-maintenance-plan |
Permalink settings: use Post name
In WordPress go to Settings → Permalinks and choose Post name (`/%postname%/`). That puts your keyword-rich slug directly after the domain. Avoid Plain (?p=123) and date-based structures unless you run a news site — dates make evergreen content look stale.
Best default: https://yoursite.com/your-slug/
SEO rules this tool enforces
- Hyphens as word separators (not underscores) for public URLs
- Lowercase only — avoids case-sensitive duplicate URLs
- Optional stop-word removal to keep 3–5 meaningful words
- Max length trim at a word boundary (default 60 characters)
- Accent transliteration so café becomes cafe, not percent-encoded junk
URLs are a minor ranking signal. The bigger wins are clearer SERP click-through and less redirect debt when you get the slug right before publish.
WooCommerce product slug tips
Product URLs sit under /product/ by default. Keep the slug shorter (about 40 characters): brand + product type is enough. Skip stuffing every attribute (color, size, SKU) into the path — variants belong in attributes, not the permalink.
Changing slugs safely (301 checklist)
- Only change a live slug when the payoff is clear (thin / junk URL).
- Add a 301 from the old URL to the new one before or as you save.
- Update internal links and menus that still point at the old path.
- Request indexing for the new URL in Google Search Console after the change.
Frequently asked questions
What is a URL slug in WordPress?
The slug is the editable part of the permalink after your domain — for example, fix-slow-wordpress-website in https://yoursite.com/fix-slow-wordpress-website/.
Should I use hyphens or underscores in slugs?
Hyphens. Google treats hyphens as word separators. Underscores are for code identifiers, not public SEO URLs. WordPress uses hyphens by default.
How long should a WordPress slug be?
Aim for 3–5 words and about 50–60 characters. Shorter is easier to read in search results and shares. Product pages often work best under 40 characters.
Should I remove stop words from my slug?
Usually yes. Words like a, the, and, of add length without much SEO value. Keep them only when removing them changes meaning (for example, war-of-the-worlds).
Is this WordPress slug generator free?
Yes. Free, no signup, and fully client-side — your titles are not uploaded.
Will changing a slug hurt my SEO?
Changing an indexed URL without a 301 redirect can lose rankings and backlinks. Always redirect the old path to the new one, then update internal links.
Related free tool
Store owners: WooCommerce Profit Margin Calculator — see true profit after COGS, shipping, and gateway fees.
Messy permalinks after a redesign?
I help WordPress and WooCommerce sites clean URL structures, set Post name permalinks, and put 301 redirects in place so SEO equity survives a rebuild. Book a free 15-minute audit.