2026-04-11·6 min read

How to Check an SSL Certificate — Complete Guide (2026)

Why SSL certificates matter

Every website that handles user data needs a valid SSL/TLS certificate. Without one, browsers display security warnings, search engines penalize your rankings, and attackers can intercept traffic.

An SSL certificate encrypts data in transit, authenticates the server, and ensures data integrity.

How to check your SSL certificate

Method 1: Use a free SSL checker tool

The fastest way is to use [CQwerty Shield's free SSL Checker](/tools/ssl-checker). It analyses your certificate in seconds and shows validity, expiry, TLS version, cipher strength, and an overall grade.

Method 2: Check in your browser

Click the padlock icon in the address bar, then "Certificate" to see the details.

Method 3: Command line

'''

openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 | openssl x509 -noout -dates

'''

What to look for

**Certificate expiry** — renew before it expires

**TLS version** — must be 1.2 or 1.3

**Certificate chain** — must be complete

**Key strength** — 2048-bit RSA or ECDSA P-256+

Common issues

| Issue | Fix |

|-------|-----|

| Expired certificate | Renew and enable auto-renewal |

| Mixed content | Update all resources to HTTPS |

| Weak ciphers | Configure modern cipher suites |

| Missing intermediate | Install the full chain |

Automate your monitoring

[CQwerty Shield Pro](/pricing) monitors daily and alerts you before issues arise.

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