Enabling GZIP Compression in Apache on Ubuntu & Debian

By 3 Mins Read

GZIP compression is a powerful tool that can significantly improve website performance by reducing the size of files transferred between the web server and client. In this article, we will explore what GZIP compression is, why it matters, and how to enable it on Apache running on Ubuntu.

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What is GZIP compression?

GZIP compression is a method of compressing files before sending them over the network. It works by analyzing the content of a file and finding patterns that can be replaced with shorter symbols, reducing the overall size of the file. When the client receives the compressed file, it decompresses it and displays the original content.

Why does GZIP compression matter?

Reducing the size of files transferred over the network can significantly improve website performance. Smaller files mean faster transfer times, which can result in quicker page load times and a better user experience. Additionally, GZIP compression can reduce bandwidth usage and lower hosting costs, especially for websites with high traffic.

  • Read: How to enable Gzip Compression on Nginx Server

    • Enabling GZIP compression on Apache

    Enabling GZIP compression on Apache is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:

    1. Check if GZIP is already enabled: Before enabling GZIP, check if it’s already enabled on your Apache server by running the following command:
      sudo apache2ctl -t -D DUMP_MODULES | grep deflate

      If GZIP is already enabled, you will see the following output:

      Output
      
deflate_module (shared)

      If you don’t see this output, you need to enable the deflate module, which is responsible for handling GZIP compression.

    2. Enable the deflate module: To enable the deflate module, run the following command:
      sudo a2enmod deflate

      This command will create a symbolic link to the deflate configuration file in the /etc/apache2/mods-enabled/ directory.

    3. Configure GZIP compression: Once the deflate module is enabled, you need to configure GZIP compression in the Apache configuration file. Open the configuration file using your preferred text editor.
      sudo nano /etc/apache2/apache2.conf

      To enable it for specific website, edit the site specific virtual host configuration file or create a .htaccess file under the document root. Then add/append the following snippet to the file.

      The above configuration file includes a list of file types that should be compressed and the level of compression (9 being the highest compression level). It also specifies file types that should not be compressed, such as images and archives, as compressing these types of files can actually increase their size.

    4. Restart Apache: After configuring GZIP compression, you need to restart Apache to apply the changes:
      sudo systemctl restart apache2

    Verify Gzip Compression

    Now that your site has been enabled with gzip compression, let’s use one of below online tools to verify that Gzip is working correctly.

    Conclusion

    Enabling GZIP compression on Apache running on Ubuntu is an effective way to improve website performance and reduce bandwidth usage. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily enable GZIP compression and enjoy the benefits of faster website loading times and improved user experience.

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    8 Comments

    4. Sanjay Raturi on

      Hi I am Sanjay Raturi from India.
      I have to enable Gzip compression for my website yogainrishikesh.in

      Please help me. please.

      Reply

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