Free URL Decoder
Long URLs full of %20 and %3D are unreadable — until you decode them. The URL Decoder converts percent-encoded text back to plain characters instantly, with an option to treat + as spaces for form-encoded data. Paste analytics URLs, redirect chains, or API logs and read what they actually say.
How to Use the URL Decoder
- Paste the encoded URL or text.
- The decoded result appears live.
- Toggle + to space for form-encoded data.
- Click Copy to use the readable text.
Features
Live decoding; + to space toggle; malformed-sequence error detection; copy button.
Benefits & Use Cases
Debug redirect chains, inspect tracking parameters, read encoded filenames in server logs, or clean up URLs before sharing them.
Tips
A decoding error usually means a stray % not followed by two hex digits — common in hand-edited URLs. Decoding is safe, but don't trust a decoded URL's destination without checking it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does %20 mean?
It is the percent-encoded form of a space: % followed by the character's hex code (20 hex = 32 = space in ASCII). Decoding reverses the process.
Why convert + to space?
In HTML form submissions (application/x-www-form-urlencoded), spaces are sent as + instead of %20. Enable the option when decoding form data or query strings from forms.
Why did decoding fail?
The input contains a malformed sequence like a % at the end or %zz. The tool stops with a clear error instead of guessing.
Can decoding be dangerous?
Decoding itself is harmless, but decoded URLs can hide their true destination. Hover or inspect links before clicking, especially from untrusted sources.
Related Tools
URL Encoder
Percent-encode URLs free with NToolHub. Full-URL, component and form encoding modes with live results — 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Open tool →Base64 Decoder
Decode Base64 to text free with NToolHub. Handles standard and URL-safe Base64 with full Unicode support — 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Open tool →HTML Decoder
Decode HTML entities to plain text free with NToolHub. Convert & and ' back to characters instantly — 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Open tool →Hex Decoder
Convert hexadecimal to text free with NToolHub. Tolerates spaces, colons and 0x prefixes with UTF-8 validation — 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Open tool →JWT Decoder
Decode JWT tokens instantly with NToolHub’s free decoder. Read header and payload, check expiry — signatures never leave your browser.
Open tool →