Encoding

URL Decode

Turn a percent-encoded URL string back into readable text as you type. Decodes %XX escapes, treats + as a space, and flags malformed input — ideal for query strings, server logs, and copy-pasted links.

Published February 28, 2024
Last reviewed June 28, 2026

Tool Summary Answer Block

This tool accepts structured input and returns deterministic output in the browser with no server upload.

Tool name: URL Decode
Input intent: Provide source content to transform, validate, or analyze.
Output intent: Receive normalized output suitable for copy, reuse, or debugging.
Example input: hello%20world%20%26%20friends
Example output: hello world & friends

0characters0decoded

Encoded inputDrop file

Decoded outputRead-only

Need to encode instead? Switch to URL Encode

Tool Introduction

Tool Overview

URL decoding reverses percent-encoding: every %XX triple is read as a byte, the bytes are interpreted as UTF-8, and the result is shown as text. This tool decodes live as you paste, converts + to a space (the convention in form-encoded data), and surfaces malformed input — a lone % or an incomplete %X sequence — as a clear error instead of silently corrupting the result. It is the fast way to read what a tracking link, redirect parameter, or logged request actually contains. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing you paste is sent anywhere.

Use Cases

Read what a long UTM or redirect parameter actually contains
Decode a query string captured in a server log or analytics report
Inspect an encoded return-URL or callback parameter in an OAuth link
Recover readable text from a copied, percent-escaped link
Debug double-encoded values where %2520 should have been a space

Input/Output Examples

%20 becomes a space and %26 becomes an ampersand.

Input Intent

hello%20world%20%26%20friends

Output Intent

hello world & friends

Multi-byte UTF-8 (%C3%A9 = é) decodes and + becomes a space.

Input Intent

q=caf%C3%A9s+%26+bars

Output Intent

q=cafés & bars

FAQ

Why does it say the encoding is invalid?+

The input contains a malformed percent escape — for example a % that is not followed by two hex digits, or a byte sequence that is not valid UTF-8. Fix or remove the stray % and it will decode.

Does it turn + into a space?+

Yes. In application/x-www-form-urlencoded data a + means a space, so this tool converts + to a space before decoding the %XX escapes.

Can it decode a whole URL at once?+

Yes. Paste the full URL and the encoded portions are decoded; already-valid characters like ?, &, and = are left as-is so the link stays readable.

What about double-encoded values?+

If a value was encoded twice you will see escapes like %2520. Decode once to get %20, then decode again to get the final space — run it through the tool a second time.