URL Decoder
Decode percent-encoded URLs to readable text
About this Tool
URL Decoder is a free, privacy-first tool built for developers. Decode percent-encoded URLs to readable text
â100% Client-Side: All processing happens in your browser. No data is ever sent to our servers.
âFast & Efficient: Instant results with no server roundtrips or delays.
âFree Forever: No sign-up, no limits, no hidden fees. Use as much as you need.
âFile Support: Upload files directly or paste content. Your choice.
Disclaimer
This tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only. All processing happens entirely in your browser - no data is sent to our servers. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical data before use in production environments. FormatKit is not responsible for any data loss, corruption, or issues resulting from tool usage.
How to Use URL Decoder
Upload a file or paste your URL encoded text into the input field and it will be automatically decoded to readable plain text in real-time. All processing happens in your browser - no data is sent to our servers.
Understanding Percent Encoding
Percent encoding (URL encoding) represents special characters using % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, equals sign becomes %3D, and ampersand becomes %26.
Features
- Real-time decoding as you type
- Error handling for malformed URL encoding
- Copy decoded output with one click
- Download as .txt file
- Character count display for both input and output
- Privacy-first - all processing in your browser
Common Use Cases
- Debugging API responses with encoded URLs: Read and understand URLs returned from REST APIs that contain percent-encoded parameters
- Reading query parameters from logs: Decode query strings from server logs to see the actual values users searched for
- Understanding URL encoding in web forms: See what data is actually being sent when forms are submitted with GET method
- Analyzing encoded link tracking parameters: Decode marketing and analytics parameters to understand tracking data
- Email link debugging: Decode email tracking links to see the actual destination URLs
- SEO analysis: Decode URLs from search engines to analyze keywords and parameters
URL Decoding Reference
Common percent-encoded characters and their decoded equivalents:
%20âspace%21â!%23â#%24â$%26â&%2Bâ+%2Fâ/%3Dâ=%3Fâ?%40â@
FAQ
Q: What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 is the percent-encoded representation of a space character. URLs cannot contain literal spaces, so they must be encoded. You'll commonly see %20 in search queries and file paths in URLs. Sometimes a plus sign (+) is used instead of %20 in query parameters.
Q: How do I decode only part of a URL?
Simply paste the part you want to decode into the input field. You can decode just query parameters, just a path segment, or any portion of a URL. The decoder works on any percent-encoded text, not just complete URLs.
Q: What if I get a "malformed" error?
A malformed error means the input contains invalid percent encoding - for example, a % not followed by two valid hexadecimal digits. Check your input for incomplete encoding sequences like %2 or %GG. Valid hex digits are 0-9 and A-F.
Q: Is my data secure?
Yes! All URL decoding happens entirely in your browser using native JavaScript functions. Your data never leaves your device and is never sent to our servers. The tool works completely offline after the initial page load.
Q: Can I decode URLs multiple times?
Yes, sometimes URLs are encoded multiple times (double or triple encoding). If your output still contains percent-encoded characters, you can copy it and decode it again. The tool will handle multiple rounds of encoding.
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