How to use the URL Decode
- Paste the encoded URL or text — it is decoded as you type.
- Turn on “+ as space” for form-encoded query strings.
- Copy the readable result; query parameters are listed one by one below.
What URL decoding does
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters, so everything else is percent-encoded: a percent sign followed by the byte value in hex. A space becomes %20, “/” becomes %2F and “é” becomes the two UTF-8 bytes %C3%A9. Decoding turns those sequences back into characters.
Plus signs: space or plus?
In HTML form submissions (application/x-www-form-urlencoded) a space is written as “+”, so q=hello+world means “hello world”. In the path of a URL, “+” is a literal plus. Turn on + as space only for query strings and form data.
Decoding twice
If the result still contains %25 or %2F, the text was encoded twice — common when URLs are passed as parameters to redirects or tracking links. Decode again to see the original.
Tools that pair well with the URL Decode
- URL Encode / Decode — Percent-encode text for safe use in URLs, decode encoded strings back to readable text, and break any URL down into its parts and query parameters.
- URL Parser — Paste a URL to see every component and decoded query parameter — then edit, add or remove parameters and copy the rebuilt URL.
- Base64 Decode — Paste a Base64 string to decode it back to text as you type — including URL-safe Base64 from JWTs and links, and strings with the “=” padding missing.
- UTM Builder — Add utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign and friends to any link, see which GA4 channel the visit will land in, and tag a whole list of URLs at once.
Frequently asked questions
What does %20 mean in a URL?
A space. %20 is the hex byte value of the space character; + also means space in form-encoded query strings.
Why do I see %C3%A9 instead of é?
Non-ASCII characters are encoded as their UTF-8 bytes. é is the two bytes C3 A9, so it becomes %C3%A9 — decoding restores é.
Is it safe to decode untrusted URLs?
Decoding only shows the text — it doesn’t open anything. Be careful before opening decoded links from unknown sources.
Can I install URL Decode as a web app and use it offline?
Yes. URL Decode is an installable web app (PWA) — installed from your browser, not downloaded from an app store. Click Install app at the top of this page in Chrome or Edge (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS) or on Android, use Share → Add to Home Screen on iPhone and iPad, or File → Add to Dock in Safari 17+ on a Mac. It then opens in its own window with its own icon, and because it runs entirely in your browser it keeps working offline. Firefox on desktop can’t install web apps. How installing works.