URL Decode
Decode percent-encoded URLs and query parameters back into readable text, handling partial and malformed encodings gracefully.
Updated September 2026 · Written and verified by Akash Pandey
URL Decode
How to use the URL decoder
- Paste an encoded URL or query string into the box.
- Click Decode. Encoded sequences become their characters.
- If decoding fails on a malformed sequence, the tool reports exactly where instead of truncating your data.
Frequently asked questions
What is being decoded?
Sequences like %20 (space), %26 (&) and %C3%A9 (é) are converted back to the characters they represent.
Does it decode + as a space?
No – only percent sequences are decoded; the + → space convention belongs to historical form encoding and is not applied, so plus signs survive literally.
What about invalid % sequences?
Malformed sequences like a bare "%" or "%ZZ" are reported clearly rather than guessed, so you know the input was corrupt.
Can I decode full URLs?
Yes - just paste the whole URL. Structural characters that were not encoded pass straight through.
Is it free and private?
Yes - decoding is local and instant.
Can this tool decode + characters back to spaces?
Yes. In web query string mode, + signs that represent spaces are properly converted back to whitespace.
What does a %2F represent in a decoded URL?
%2F represents a forward slash /. When encoded, it prevents the character from being interpreted as a URL directory separator.
How does the tool handle invalid percent sequences like %ZZ?
Malformed sequences that do not represent valid hexadecimal values are flagged clearly without crashing or truncating your text.