URL encoding to file decoder
Decode percent-encoded text in your browser: nothing is uploaded, there is no limit on how much you decode, and you can choose whether a plus sign means a space. Get the result as a preview or as a file.
How it works
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Paste the text
Paste the URL-codering text, or choose a .txt file that contains it.
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Checked instantly
You see at once whether the text is valid and what kind of file is in it.
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Download the file
The file automatically gets the right extension.
What it does
Every %XX code becomes the byte it stands for. Other characters are kept as they are. A % that isn't followed by two hexadecimal digits is reported with its position.
Reading encoded addresses
Copy a long URL from a log or an email and it is full of %20, %3D and %C3%A9. Paste it here to see the readable text. This also helps when you debug a link that does not work, because you can see exactly which parameter is sent.
The plus sign
In a normal URL path, + is a plus. In form data and many query strings it stands for a space. Tick + means a space when you decode form data such as q=hello+world, and leave it off for everything else, where a + is a real plus, as in a phone number.
Invalid codes
A % that is not followed by two hexadecimal digits cannot be decoded, and the tool reports where it is. This is common in pasted text where a literal percentage sign (100%) was never encoded.
Binary data
When the result is not text, for example a file that was percent-encoded, you can download it. The first bytes are used to recognise the file type, so you get a sensible extension.
To encode again, use file to URL encoder. For a quick snippet, URL decode is faster.
Private by design
Decoding happens in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tick the plus-as-space option?
Tick it for form data and query strings like q=hello+world. Leave it off if the plus signs are real plus signs.
Why does the tool refuse my text?
A % that is not followed by two hexadecimal digits is not valid. It is reported with its position.
Can the result be a file?
Yes. Any decoded bytes can be downloaded, and text is previewed first.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Decoding happens in your browser and nothing is sent.