Decode UTF-8 Percent-Encoding
Decode percent-encoded UTF-8 back to accents, CJK characters and emoji. See caf%C3%A9 become café.
Part of the free URL Decoder. Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Decode UTF-8 Percent-Encoding
Each %HH pair is a byte. Grouped as UTF-8 they reconstruct the original characters. This is how café, São Paulo and emoji survive inside URLs.
Worked example: UTF-8 bytes as percent-escapes
Encoded
caf%C3%A9%20%E2%98%95
Decoded
café ☕
Practical tip
If the result looks like é instead of é, someone decoded UTF-8 bytes as Windows-1252. Encode as UTF-8 from the start.
How to use this URL Decoder
- 1Use the live tool above — it runs entirely in your browser and never uploads your data.
- 2Paste the sample from the worked example, or use your own input.
- 3Copy the result, then adapt the same steps in your editor, script, or pipeline.
Decode UTF-8 Percent-Encoding FAQs
What is %C3%A9?
The UTF-8 encoding of é. C3 A9 are the two bytes; the decoder turns them into one character.
Can I decode emoji in URLs?
Yes. Emoji become four-byte UTF-8 sequences and then four %HH groups.
More URL Decoder pages
- URL Decode %20 to SpacesDecode %20 and other percent-encoded bytes back to readable text. Paste an encoded URL or query value.
- Decode a Query String OnlineDecode a full query string and read every parameter. Turns %XX sequences back into readable values.
- decodeURIComponent OnlineRun decodeURIComponent on any string. Catch malformed % sequences and see the exact JavaScript result.
- Decode + as a SpaceTreat + as a space before percent-decoding, the same way HTML form bodies are decoded.
- Parse URL Query ParametersSplit a URL into protocol, host, path and a table of query parameters. Decode each value automatically.
- Fix Malformed Percent-EncodingSee why decodeURIComponent throws on a trailing % or a lone %2, and how to clean the string before decoding.
- Bulk URL DecoderDecode many percent-encoded lines at once. Paste a list of values or URLs and decode each line.
- Decode a Nested Redirect URLDecode a return_to / redirect parameter that is itself a URL. See the real destination hidden behind percent-encoding.
- Decode + and % Sequences TogetherDecode strings that mix + (form space) and %HH sequences. The usual case for query strings from HTML forms.