What does a URL decoder do?
Encoded URLs are hard to read: https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcaf%C3%A9 is just https://example.com/search?q=café. The decoder converts every %XX sequence back into the character it stands for, reading multi-byte sequences as UTF-8 so accents and emoji come back correctly.
The “+ as space” option, on by default, treats + as a space, as form-encoded query strings do. Turn it off if the text contains real plus signs, for example in a phone number or a base64 value.
Some links get encoded more than once as they pass through redirect services and email tools, so you see %253A where you expect %3A. The “Decode repeatedly” option keeps decoding until the text stops changing, up to five passes, and tells you how many passes it took. If the text contains a malformed sequence, such as a lone % sign, the decoder leaves that part as it is instead of failing, so you still get the rest.
Everything runs in your browser. The whole text box is decoded as one item.
How to decode a URL
- Paste the encoded URL or text.
- Keep “+ as space” on for query strings, or turn it off if the text has real plus signs.
- Turn on “Decode repeatedly” if the link looks double-encoded (%25 everywhere).
- Copy the decoded result.
When to use it
- Reading the real destination hidden inside a tracking or redirect link.
- Debugging query strings in logs, analytics reports or server errors.
- Fixing double-encoded links that show %2520 or %253A.
- Checking what a form or API actually sent.
- Making an encoded URL readable before sharing it in documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 is an encoded space. %3A is a colon, %2F a slash, %3F a question mark and %26 an ampersand.
What is a double-encoded URL?
One that was encoded twice, so the % sign itself got encoded as %25: %3A becomes %253A. Turn on “Decode repeatedly” and the tool decodes it until it stops changing, up to five passes, and shows how many it needed.
Why did a + turn into a space?
In form-encoded query strings + means space, so that option is on by default. Turn it off to keep plus signs as they are.
What happens with invalid sequences?
Malformed sequences, such as a % not followed by two hex digits, are left as they are, and the rest of the text is decoded normally.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. Decoding happens in your browser.
Is it free?
You can try it free: the whole text box is decoded as one item. ToolStudio Pro gives unlimited use of every tool for €1.99 a month, with no ads, cancel anytime.