URL Decoder
Decode URL-encoded text instantly. Free online URL decoder for percent-encoded strings. No signup required.
What Is a URL Decoder?
URL decoding is essential for debugging web applications, reading server logs, and processing URL-encoded form data. When users submit forms or APIs receive requests, the data arrives percent-encoded. Decoding reveals the original text, making it readable for debugging and data extraction. This tool decodes the full range of percent-encoded characters following RFC 3986.
Example
URL-Encoded Input:
Hello%20World%21%20%26foo%3DbarText Output:
Hello World! &foo=barHow to Use This Converter
- Paste your URL-Encoded data into the input panel.
- View the converted Text output — it updates instantly.
- Click Copy to copy the result to your clipboard.
- Verify the output matches your expectations before using in production.
Related Converters
All conversions run entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server. For the specification, see RFC 3986 — URI Generic Syntax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL decoding?
URL decoding reverses percent-encoding — it converts %XX sequences back to their original characters. %20 becomes a space, %26 becomes &, %3D becomes =. This reveals the original text hidden behind URL-safe encoding.
When do I need to decode URLs?
Decode when reading query parameters from a URL, debugging API requests, analyzing web server logs, or extracting data from URL-encoded form submissions. Encoded URLs are human-unreadable, so decoding is essential for debugging.
Can I decode double-encoded URLs?
Yes — sometimes URLs are accidentally encoded twice (e.g., %2520 instead of %20). Run the decoder twice, or check for double-encoding if the first pass still shows percent signs.
Is URL decoding safe?
Decoding itself is safe, but be cautious about using decoded values directly in HTML or SQL — they may contain malicious content (XSS or injection attacks). Always sanitize decoded input before rendering or executing it.
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