URL Decoder — Turn %20 and Other Encoded Characters Back Into Text
URLs full of %20, %3D, and %26 are hard to read. Decode them instantly to see the original text.
Percent-encoded URLs (like example.com/search?q=hello%20world) are common but unreadable at a glance. When debugging redirects, query parameters, or logs, you often need to know what the encoded text actually represents.
Our URL Decoder converts percent-encoded strings back into their original, human-readable text instantly.
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Open URL Decoder →How to Use the URL Decoder
- Open the URL Decoder tool.
- Paste the URL-encoded string (e.g., containing %20, %3F, %26) into the input box.
- Click Decode.
- View the decoded, readable text.
Common Use Cases
- Reading the actual content of a query parameter from a shared or logged URL.
- Debugging redirect chains where the destination URL is encoded as a parameter.
- Inspecting form submission data captured in server logs.
- Understanding what a tracking or analytics link is actually pointing to.
- Converting an encoded search term back to its original phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does %20 mean?
%20 is the percent-encoded representation of a space character. Other common codes include %3D for '=', %26 for '&', and %3F for '?'.
Can I decode an entire URL, including the domain?
Yes, you can paste a full URL — only the percent-encoded portions will be converted, while the rest of the URL remains unchanged.
What if the encoded text contains a '+' instead of '%20'?
In some encoding contexts (like form submissions), spaces are represented as '+' rather than '%20' — if your decoded result still shows '+' where you expect spaces, that's the encoding convention used by the source.
Is decoding URLs safe?
Yes, decoding simply reveals the underlying text — it doesn't visit or execute the URL. All decoding happens locally in your browser.
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