About URL decode
Use the URL decoder online to inspect an encoded path segment or parameter value. It can decode percent encoded text back to readable UTF-8 using decodeURIComponent. The input is treated as one component, not split into a full query-string object.
How to decode a URL component
- Paste the percent-encoded component.
- Select Process and review the decoded text.
- Copy or download the result; decode another layer only if the source actually requires it.
A practical example
- Input
hello%20world%26x%3D1
- Result
hello world&x=1
A literal + stays a plus sign; this tool does not automatically apply form-query plus-to-space conversion.
Supported input and limitations
- Malformed percent sequences or invalid encoded UTF-8 are rejected.
- Decoding does not make content safe for HTML, SQL, or other interpreters. It does not browse or execute the decoded text.
Processing happens on your device. Read about local processing and optional workspace recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Why does URL decoding leave plus signs unchanged?
decodeURIComponent treats + literally. Replacing + with a space is a separate form-encoding rule, not generic percent decoding.
Why do I get an invalid percent-encoded sequence?
A percent escape may be incomplete or the bytes may not form valid UTF-8. Check whether the source is truncated or uses a different encoding.