Text tools

URL Decoder

Decode URL-encoded strings instantly. Paste any percent-encoded text to see the decoded result.

Encoded text

Decoded

Hello World! 😀

What is the URL Decoder?

URL decoding (also called percent-decoding or URL unescaping) is the process of converting percent-encoded characters in URLs back to their original form. In a URL, spaces become %20, slashes become %2F, ampersands become %26, and special characters are replaced with % followed by their hexadecimal ASCII or UTF-8 code. A URL Decoder reverses this transformation, turning 'hello%20world' back into 'hello world'.

How it works

The tool reads your encoded URL or text, identifies all percent-encoded sequences (%XX where X is a hexadecimal digit), looks up the character each code represents (using UTF-8 if multi-byte), and replaces each encoded sequence with the actual character. The result is immediately shown as readable text you can copy.

Examples

Input	Result	Notes
https://example.com/search%3Fq%3Dcats%26page%3D2	https://example.com/search?q=cats&page=2	%3F decodes to '?', %26 decodes to '&' — restoring the query string structure
Hello%20World%21%20This%20is%20a%20test.	Hello World! This is a test.	%20 is space, %21 is '!' — common URL-safe characters decoded back
user%40example.com	user@example.com	%40 is the '@' symbol, often encoded in email addresses within URLs

Benefits

Instantly see what a confusing encoded URL or query string actually contains

Troubleshoot URLs that aren't working — some tools require decoded links

Save time decoding multiple parameters in complex query strings

Prevent copy-paste errors by seeing the actual text before manually retyping

Free and no login required — works entirely in your browser

Tips & common mistakes

Common mistakes

Assuming %20 is the only space encoding — it is the standard, but some legacy systems use + for space in query strings (this tool uses strict percent-decoding)

Forgetting to decode before pasting a link into documentation or comments — encoded URLs look wrong to readers

Decoding only part of a URL — always paste the full URL to catch every encoded parameter

Tips

Multi-byte UTF-8 characters are decoded correctly — paste URLs with non-ASCII characters and the tool handles them

Use this alongside the URL Encoder to test your encoding pipeline: encode, then decode, and confirm you get the original back

Bookmark this tool for quick access — many SEO and debugging workflows need URL decoding multiple times per day

Frequently asked questions

Why is my URL encoded in the first place?

URLs can only safely contain letters, digits, and a few symbols. Spaces, special characters, and non-ASCII text must be encoded as %XX codes so the browser and servers don't misinterpret them. Encoding ensures the URL is transmitted correctly.

What's the difference between %20 and + for spaces?

%20 is the standard percent-encoding for space and works everywhere. The + symbol is an older convention used only in query string form data (application/x-www-form-urlencoded). This tool uses strict percent-decoding (%20 = space).

Can I decode international characters (non-ASCII)?

Yes. UTF-8 multi-byte sequences are decoded correctly. For example, %C3%A9 decodes to 'é'. The tool automatically detects and handles UTF-8 encoding.

Is it safe to paste URLs here?

Yes. This tool runs entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to a server. Your data stays private and is never logged or stored.

What if my URL is only partly encoded?

The tool handles mixed encoded and non-encoded text. It decodes only the %XX sequences and leaves everything else unchanged. Paste the full URL — partial encoding won't break it.

Can I use this for other encoded text, not just URLs?

Yes. URL percent-encoding is a universal standard. You can decode any text that uses %XX notation — form data, encoded parameters, file paths, or custom applications that use percent-encoding.