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Input Characters
About URL Decoder
URL Decoder is a free browser-based developer tool that converts percent-encoded URLs and text back into readable characters. It is useful when working with encoded query parameters, URLs, form data and other percent-encoded text.
The decoding operation is performed locally in your browser using JavaScript. The tool does not need to send the text to an ObfuscatorJS conversion server.
How To Use
- Paste URL-encoded text into the input box.
- Enable Convert + to spaces when working with query-string or form-encoded data.
- Click Decode URL.
- Review the decoded result.
- Copy or download the decoded output if needed.
Features
- Decode percent-encoded URLs and text.
- Supports UTF-8 encoded characters.
- Optional plus-to-space conversion.
- Detects malformed percent-encoded sequences.
- Copy decoded output.
- Download decoded text.
- Swap input and output.
- Input and output statistics.
- Browser-based processing.
- No registration required.
URL Encoding and Percent Encoding
URL encoding represents characters that cannot be
safely used in a URL using a percent sign followed by
two hexadecimal digits. For example,
%20 commonly represents a space.
Non-ASCII characters can also be represented using UTF-8 bytes followed by percent encoding. A URL decoder reconstructs those encoded bytes into their original text.
Plus Signs and Spaces
A plus sign is commonly used to represent a space in application/x-www-form-urlencoded query data. However, a literal plus sign in other URL contexts does not necessarily represent a space.
For this reason, the converter provides an optional Convert + to spaces setting. Disable it when you need literal plus signs to remain unchanged.
Privacy and Security
URL decoding is performed directly in your browser. The tool does not require uploading the text to a conversion server.
Even when processing happens locally, avoid entering passwords, access tokens, API keys, private keys or other confidential information into online tools, particularly when using a shared or untrusted device.
Important Limitations
- Malformed percent-encoded sequences are rejected.
- The tool processes text and does not execute decoded JavaScript or other code.
- Plus-to-space conversion is intended primarily for query-string and form-encoded data.
- The tool does not validate whether a decoded string is a reachable or valid website URL.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Runs decoding directly in the browser | Does not verify whether a URL is reachable |
| Supports UTF-8 percent-encoded text | Malformed percent sequences cannot be decoded |
| Optional plus-to-space handling | Plus-to-space behavior depends on the data format |
| Copy, download and swap functionality | Very large inputs may require more browser memory |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL decoding?
URL decoding converts percent-encoded characters
such as %20 back into their original
readable characters.
Is the URL Decoder free?
Yes. The URL Decoder is free to use and does not require registration.
Does the URL Decoder upload my data?
The decoding operation is performed locally in your browser using JavaScript and does not require an ObfuscatorJS conversion server.
Why does + become a space?
In query-string and form-encoded data, a plus sign is commonly used to represent a space. You can disable this behavior when a literal plus sign needs to remain unchanged.
What happens if URL encoding is invalid?
The decoder detects malformed percent-encoded sequences and displays an error instead of producing an unreliable result.
Does URL decoding execute JavaScript?
No. The tool only processes text and does not execute decoded JavaScript or other code.