URL decoder

Free URL Decoder Tool

The Free URL Decoder quickly converts percent-encoded strings (like %20, %3A, and %2F) back into readable text, query parameters, and paths. It saves time by fixing broken links, debugging API requests, and cleaning analytics data. Use the URL Decoder whenever you need to inspect or restore human-readable values from encoded URLs.

What is URL Decoder?

The URL Decoder is a utility that reverses URL encoding (percent-encoding) so you can see the original characters hidden behind codes such as %20 for spaces or %2B for plus signs. It correctly interprets UTF-8 sequences and common x-www-form-urlencoded rules where the plus sign can represent spaces in query strings.

On Monkey Type, the URL Decoder focuses on precision and safety: it decodes only what you choose, highlights invalid sequences, and preserves reserved characters when needed. This makes it ideal for debugging redirects, API calls, OAuth callbacks, and analytics parameters. If you need the inverse, try the complementary URL Encoder to create safe, standards-compliant links.

For immediate structure analysis after decoding, you can pass results to the URL Parser to break URLs into scheme, host, path, and query components.

Why Use URL Decoder?

• Debug API requests fast: When APIs receive encoded query strings, the URL Decoder reveals the actual parameter names and values, making 400/422 errors easier to fix. Pair with the JSON Formatter to inspect payloads after decoding.
• Fix broken redirects: Mis-encoded characters can break redirect chains. Decode, verify, then re-encode correctly with the URL Encoder to stabilize your links.
• Clean analytics data: Decoding UTM parameters exposes readable campaign names and mediums. Build or verify tags using the UTM Builder.
• Restore user input: Forms and email links often encode characters. The URL Decoder returns them to human-readable strings so support teams can understand reports and reproduce issues.
• Troubleshoot international text: Decode UTF-8 sequences so non‑ASCII characters (e.g., accented names or non‑Latin scripts) render properly. If content is further encoded, check the Base64 Decoder.

How to Use URL Decoder on Monkey Type

1. Open the tool: Go to the URL Decoder on Monkey Type.
2. Paste your encoded URL or string: Include a full URL, query string, or individual value (e.g., name%3DJohn%2BDoe or https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fpath%3Fa%3D1%26b%3D2).
3. Choose decoding options: Select UTF-8 (default), decide whether to treat plus signs as spaces for form-encoded data, and enable safe mode to skip reserved characters if necessary.
4. Click Decode: Instantly view the decoded output with invalid sequences highlighted so you can spot issues.
5. Copy or refine: Copy the clean result or edit directly in the output pane.
6. Round-trip if needed: If you need a safe, shareable link after edits, send the result to the URL Encoder for re-encoding.
7. Further analyze: For detailed components, open the URL Parser or turn your link into a scannable image with the QR Code Generator.

Expected result: You will see a readable URL or text with all percent-encoded sequences properly decoded, making it clear what the original values are.

Key Features

• Accurate percent-decoding: Converts %xx bytes and UTF-8 sequences correctly, including edge cases in query strings.
• Safe mode: Optionally preserves reserved characters (such as ?, #, &, and =), preventing accidental breaking of URL structure.
• Plus-as-space toggle: Handles application/x-www-form-urlencoded where + means space, avoiding common misinterpretations.
• Error highlighting: Flags invalid or incomplete sequences so you can quickly correct malformed inputs.
• Multi-line and bulk support: Decode logs, CSV columns, or multiple URLs at once for faster workflows.
• One-click copy and export: Grab clean outputs or export for sharing with your team.
• Privacy-first: Works without storing your input; ideal for sensitive URLs or tokens. For complementary debugging, open the JSON Formatter in a new tab.

Best Practices & Tips

• Avoid double decoding: If text is decoded twice, plus signs and percent sequences can turn into unintended characters. Decode once, verify, then re-encode if needed with the URL Encoder.
• Decode only data segments: Often you only need to decode query parameter values, not the entire URL. Use the URL Parser to isolate parts safely.
• Mind the plus sign: In query strings, + often represents a space, but in paths it can be a literal plus. Use the tool’s plus-as-space toggle accordingly.
• Check Unicode rendering: If characters still look wrong, confirm the original encoding is UTF-8. If content was encoded differently (or wrapped in Base64), try the Base64 Decoder.
• Keep reserved characters when necessary: Decoding ? or # inside a full URL can change its meaning. Use safe mode to preserve structure while decoding values.
• Validate final links: After editing decoded content, re-encode and test the link end-to-end. The QR Code Generator can help with quick mobile tests.

Common Use Cases

• SEO audits: Decode redirect targets and hreflang URLs to spot inconsistencies, then re-encode cleanly using the URL Encoder.
• Marketing attribution: Read UTM parameters in emails or ads to validate campaign tracking. Build tags with the UTM Builder.
• Developer debugging: Inspect OAuth callback URLs, signed parameters, and webhook endpoints for encoding issues.
• Data cleaning: Turn encoded logs and exports into readable text before importing into analytics or BI tools.
• Customer support: Decode links from tickets to reproduce user journeys exactly and identify encoding pitfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the URL Decoder do?

The URL Decoder converts percent-encoded characters in a URL or query string back into their original form. It reveals readable text, parameter names, and values so you can debug and clean links efficiently on Monkey Type.

Is “URL encoding” the same as “percent-encoding”?

Yes—URL encoding is commonly implemented as percent-encoding per RFC 3986. Characters unsafe in URLs are replaced with % followed by two hex digits (for example, space → %20). The URL Decoder reverses that process.

Why do plus signs sometimes turn into spaces?

In application/x-www-form-urlencoded query strings, the plus sign (+) is treated as a space. In paths, however, + is literal. The URL Decoder includes a plus-as-space option so you can choose the correct behavior.

Can I decode only the query parameters, not the entire URL?

Yes. Use the URL Decoder to process just the parameter values, or extract parts with the URL Parser first. This prevents accidental changes to reserved characters like ? and #.

Is it safe to decode sensitive URLs?

The URL Decoder on Monkey Type is designed for privacy and does not store your inputs. For highly sensitive data, use local sessions and avoid sharing decoded outputs publicly.

Use the URL Decoder on Monkey Type to make encoded links readable, fix issues faster, and keep your URLs standards-compliant. For creating safe links from scratch, try the URL Encoder next.