What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 is the percent-encoded representation of a space character (ASCII code 32). When decoded, it becomes a plain space.
URL Decoder converts percent-encoded URL strings back into their original, human-readable form. When debugging API requests, inspecting redirect chains, analyzing tracking URLs, or reading error messages in browser address bars, URLs often contain encoded characters like %20 (space), %26 (&), %3D (=), and %2F (/). Paste any encoded URL or query string and decode it instantly in your browser.
URL decoding replaces each %XX sequence with the original character it represents, where XX is the hexadecimal ASCII code. This is the inverse of percent-encoding (RFC 3986). The tool uses decodeURIComponent() to handle all percent-encoded sequences including non-ASCII Unicode characters encoded as UTF-8 byte sequences.
%20 is the percent-encoded representation of a space character (ASCII code 32). When decoded, it becomes a plain space.
decodeURI decodes a full URL but leaves reserved chars (; , / ? : @ & = + $ #) encoded. decodeURIComponent decodes everything, making it correct for decoding individual query parameter values. This tool uses decodeURIComponent behavior.
Yes. Paste the entire URL including the https:// scheme and the tool decodes all percent-encoded sequences throughout.
No. Decoding runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is ever uploaded.
Decoding fails if the input contains malformed percent sequences (% not followed by two hex digits). The tool shows an error in that case.
Yes, completely free. No login, no limits.
Tool workspace
Free URL decoder online — instantly decode percent-encoded URLs and query strings back to readable text. Decode %20, %2F, %3D and all encoded chars. No login required.
Output
Input
https://example.com/search?q=hello%20world%20%26%20more
Output
https://example.com/search?q=hello world & more