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Server Side Includes (SSI) let you include content from one file into another using directives like <!--#include virtual="/header.html" -->. By default, only files with .shtml extensions are parsed for SSI directives. Here is how to make .html or .htm files support SSI too.
Parse HTML files as SHTML
Add this line to your .htaccess file in public_html:
AddHandler server-parsed .html .htm
Now any .html or .htm file will be processed for SSI directives before being sent to the browser.
01. SSI Example
With the handler enabled, you can use includes in your HTML files:
<!--#include virtual="/includes/header.html" -->
<h1>Page Content</h1>
<p>Your page content here.</p>
<!--#include virtual="/includes/footer.html" -->This is useful for maintaining consistent headers and footers across a static HTML site without using PHP or a CMS.
SSI is an older technology. For most use cases today, PHP includes (<?php include 'header.php'; ?>) are more flexible and widely supported. You can also parse HTML files as PHP instead of SHTML. See How to Parse HTML as PHP.
For more on .htaccess configuration, see .htaccess Guide.
Need Help With Server Configuration?
Open a Support TicketQuick Recap
- Add
AddHandler server-parsed .html .htmto .htaccess - Use SSI directives like
<!--#include virtual="..." --> - Good for static sites with shared headers/footers
- PHP includes are more flexible for modern sites
- See Parse HTML as PHP for a PHP-based alternative
Server configuration · Last updated March 2026 · Browse all General articles
