URL parser: see every part of a link

What does the URL parser show?

A URL packs a lot into one line. The parser splits it into its parts: protocol, user, host, port (or the default port for the protocol when none is written), path and each of its segments, query string, fragment and origin. Query parameters are shown decoded in a table, and repeated keys are kept, so ?tag=a&tag=b shows both values.

It also works out the registered domain, the subdomain and the TLD, so for blog.shop.example.co.uk you see example.co.uk, blog.shop and co.uk. If you paste a link without a scheme, like example.com/page, the parser assumes https:// and tells you it did. If the URL contains a password (user:password@host), it is masked in the output.

It is useful for debugging, for checking campaign links before they go out, and simply for understanding what a long link actually contains. It runs in your browser and the URL is not sent anywhere. With ToolStudio Pro you can paste several URLs, one per line, and parse them all at once.

How to parse a URL

1. 1Paste the URL into the box.
2. 2Run the parser.
3. 3Read the components and the decoded parameter table.
4. 4Copy any value you need.

When to use it

• Debugging a link that does not open the expected page.
• Reading the parameters of a long tracking or affiliate link.
• Checking which domain a link really points to before clicking it.
• Explaining URL structure to a colleague or student.
• Verifying ports, paths and fragments while developing a web app.

Anatomy of a URL

• https:// — protocol (scheme)
• user@ — optional credentials (masked if there is a password)
• www.example.com — host: subdomain www, registered domain example.com, TLD com
• :8080 — port (443 for https and 80 for http when not written)
• /docs/guide — path, made of segments
• ?lang=en&page=2 — query string with parameters
• #install — fragment, handled by the browser and not sent to the server

Frequently Asked Questions