Why does checking PHP version show 'Hidden' on some websites?

Many production servers set expose_php = Off in php.ini or route traffic through Cloudflare WAF, which strips the X-Powered-By header for security. If you own the site, you can check the exact PHP version inside WordPress Site Health, cPanel/hPanel, or via php -v in SSH.

How do I perform a WordPress check PHP version?

Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Tools > Site Health > Info, and expand the Server tab. Look for the 'PHP version' row to see the exact version powering your WordPress site.

How to check PHP version on Mac, Apache, or CentOS 7?

On macOS, Linux, or CentOS 7 terminal, run 'php -v' to check the CLI PHP version. To check the Apache PHP version specifically, create a temporary info.php file containing or inspect loaded Apache modules with 'apachectl -M | grep php'.

✳ FREE · ONLINE · LIVE HEADER SCAN

Free online PHP version checker for any website.

Q: How to check PHP version of website online tool?

Enter any domain or URL into the DigVibes PHP version checker online and click Check PHP Version. Our tool inspects live HTTP headers such as X-Powered-By, Server banners, and session cookies to identify the running PHP release and security support status.

Check the PHP version of a website in seconds. Our online PHP version check tool inspects HTTP response headers, server signatures, CMS footprints, and 2026 End-of-Life security status with zero sign-up.

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PHP VERSION CHECKER STUDIO ↳ Live HTTP header inspection

Quick test:

How to Check PHP Version of a Website Online

Running an outdated PHP release slows down dynamic pages and exposes websites to unpatched vulnerabilities. When you use our PHP version checker online, our scanner sends a lightweight HTTP request to your domain and inspects the X-Powered-By banner, Server signature, PHPSESSID session cookies, and CMS headers to check site PHP version details without requiring server login credentials.

2026 PHP Version Support & Security Lifecycle Table

After checking PHP version results above, compare your server release against the official PHP support matrix:

PHP Branch	2026 Support Status	Recommendation
PHP 8.4 & 8.5	Active Support	Recommended for modern WordPress, Laravel, and high-traffic sites. Fastest JIT execution and full security patching.
PHP 8.2 & 8.3	Security Fixes Only	Safe for production today, though upgrading to PHP 8.4+ improves CPU efficiency and memory usage.
PHP 8.1 & 8.0	End of Life (EOL)	No longer receives official security updates. Schedule a staging test and upgrade your server PHP version.
PHP 7.4 & 5.x	Critical EOL	Severely outdated and exposed to known CVEs. Upgrade immediately via your hosting panel.

Other Ways: How to Check the PHP Version Manually

If your server hides public headers (expose_php = Off in php.ini) or sits behind Cloudflare, an external check PHP version website scan will report the version as hidden. Use the exact methods below to check version of PHP directly on your platform:

1. WordPress Check PHP Version (No Coding Required)

To run a quick WordPress check PHP version inside your site dashboard:

Sign in to your WordPress Admin panel (/wp-admin).
Navigate to Tools → Site Health in the left sidebar.
Switch to the Info tab at the top and click Server.
Check the PHP version row (alongside PHP memory limit and max input variables).

2. Check PHP Version on Mac or Linux Terminal

Developers looking to check PHP version Mac (macOS Homebrew / Herd) or Ubuntu/Debian CLI can open Terminal and run:

php -v

Or print only the clean version string using:

php -r "echo PHP_VERSION . PHP_EOL;"

3. Apache Check PHP Version (Web Server vs CLI)

Sometimes your command-line PHP differs from the module serving web traffic. For an accurate Apache PHP version check:

Check loaded Apache PHP module: Run apachectl -M | grep php (or httpd -M | grep php) to see which PHP-FPM or mod_php handler is active.
Temporary phpinfo() check: Create a file named check-info.php in your web root containing <?php phpinfo(); ?>, open it in your browser to see the exact Apache/LiteSpeed PHP version, and delete the file immediately afterward so server paths are not left public.

4. CentOS 7 Check PHP Version & RHEL Servers

On legacy enterprise servers, administrators running a CentOS 7 check PHP version audit can inspect both the active binary and installed Remi/RPM packages:

php -v && rpm -qa | grep -i php

Frequently Asked Questions

How to check PHP version of website online tool?

Paste any public website URL into the checker box at the top of this page and press Check PHP Version. The tool inspects HTTP response headers (such as X-Powered-By and Server) and checks whether the exposed PHP release is actively supported or End-of-Life.

Why does my website PHP version check say "Hidden"?

Security-hardened hosts (including LiteSpeed, Nginx, and Cloudflare-protected servers) disable the X-Powered-By header by setting expose_php = Off. Hiding your PHP version from public scanners is actually good security practice. You can still check the version privately via WordPress Site Health, Hostinger hPanel, cPanel, or SSH.

Is it safe to expose the PHP version in HTTP headers?

Disclosing exact minor versions (especially if running End-of-Life PHP 7.4 or 8.0) makes it easier for automated bots to target unpatched vulnerabilities. Keeping PHP updated to 8.3 or 8.4+ and setting expose_php = Off in php.ini is recommended.

How do I check version PHP uses in Hostinger or cPanel?

In Hostinger hPanel, open Websites → Manage → Advanced → PHP Configuration to view and switch your active PHP version. In cPanel, open Software → MultiPHP Manager to check the PHP version assigned to each domain.