URL Decode Text

Convert percent-encoded URLs and query strings back to readable text instantly.

Decode percent-encoded URL text back to readable characters. Free online URL decoder. Percent-escapes are converted back to characters, with UTF-8.

URL Decode Text examples

InputOutput
hello%20world%20%26%20morehello world & more
caf%C3%A9café

How the url decode text works

  1. Percent-encoded sequences are converted back to characters.
  2. UTF-8 multi-byte sequences are handled correctly.
  3. Malformed input is returned unchanged instead of erroring.

Rules and edge cases

  • Percent-escapes are converted back to characters, with UTF-8 multi-byte sequences reassembled correctly.
  • Malformed input such as a lone % is returned unchanged instead of raising an error.
  • Plus signs are left as plus signs; convert them to spaces first if the string came from a form body.

Frequently asked questions

My decoded text still shows %2520 — why?

The value was encoded twice: %25 is an encoded % sign. Decode a second time to get the original text.

Can I decode an entire URL at once?

Yes, and it is useful for reading long tracking links — the separators are already unencoded, so only the parameter values change.