URL decode
Decode URL-encoded text in your browser: nothing is uploaded, there is no limit on the length, and you can decode a whole list, one line at a time. Useful for query strings, tracking links and log files.
How it works
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Paste your code
Paste the code in the left box or open a file. No code to hand? Click Example.
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Instant result
The result appears as you type. If there is an error, you see the line and character.
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Copy or download
Copy the result with one click or save it as a file for your editor or project.
Plus sign or space?
In HTML forms and many query strings a space is written as +. With Read + as a space, which is on by default, those become spaces again. Turn it off when a real plus sign may appear in your text, for example in a phone number like %2B44.
Invalid codes
A % must be followed by two hexadecimal characters. Text such as 100% or %G1 gives a message with the position, instead of a garbled result. Bytes that don't form valid UTF-8 are reported too.
To encode text, use URL encode. For whole files, use file to URL encoding.
Tracking links and redirects
Marketing links often carry a long encoded URL as a parameter, such as ?u=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2F…. Decode it to see where a link really goes before you click it. Some links are encoded twice (%253A instead of %3A); if the result still has % codes, decode it once more.
Reading logs
Web server and proxy logs store requested URLs encoded. Decode a line to see the actual search term or path. For lists, one URL per line works: every line is decoded separately.
For files and binary data that were percent-encoded, see URL encoding to file.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my result still contain % codes?
The text was encoded twice. Decode it a second time.
What does the plus option do?
It reads + as a space, as form data does. Switch it off when a plus is a real plus.
Why do I get an error for 100%?
A percent sign must be followed by two hexadecimal digits to be a code. A lone percent sign was never encoded.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Decoding happens in your browser and nothing is sent.