Why do some URLs need decoding twice?

Because they were encoded twice. When an already-encoded URL is placed inside another URL as a parameter value — normal in redirects and tracking links — the `%` itself is encoded to `%25`, turning `%20` into `%2520`. The tool detects this and says so, so you know another pass is needed.

What does a decoding failure mean?

The string contains an incomplete or invalid escape, such as a trailing lone `%` or a non-hexadecimal pair like `%ZZ`. That usually means the URL was truncated or joined incorrectly. Reporting it is deliberate: silently skipping produces output that looks fine but is wrong.

URL TOOLS · NO REQUESTS ARE MADE

URL Decoder

Turn %XX-encoded URLs back into readable text, with double-encoding detection.

Input

Component (a value)Full URIForm (+ means space)

Text

Result

https://example.com/%E6%90%9C%E5%B0%8B

About this tool

Paste an encoded URL or parameter to get readable text back. The tool detects double encoding: `%2520` is `%20` encoded a second time, which means the data passed through two encoding steps — common in redirect chains and third-party tracking links. An incomplete escape, such as a trailing lone `%`, produces an explicit error rather than being skipped, because it usually means the string was truncated.

How it works

Choose a decoding mode; component covers most cases.
Paste the encoded text.
Read the decoded result and any double-encoding warning.

Limits and rules

Up to 8,000 characters. An incomplete %XX sequence is reported as an error rather than silently dropped.

Privacy

URLs are parsed inside this browser only. A URL often carries tokens, internal paths, and personal data in its query, so nothing is uploaded, stored, or logged.

Frequently asked questions

Why do some URLs need decoding twice?: Because they were encoded twice. When an already-encoded URL is placed inside another URL as a parameter value — normal in redirects and tracking links — the `%` itself is encoded to `%25`, turning `%20` into `%2520`. The tool detects this and says so, so you know another pass is needed.
What does a decoding failure mean?: The string contains an incomplete or invalid escape, such as a trailing lone `%` or a non-hexadecimal pair like `%ZZ`. That usually means the URL was truncated or joined incorrectly. Reporting it is deliberate: silently skipping produces output that looks fine but is wrong.

← All URL tools