URL Parser

Parse and analyze URLs. Extract protocol, domain, path, query parameters, and fragments from any URL.

Enter URL

What It Does

URL Parser breaks down URLs into their component parts—protocol, hostname, port, path, query parameters, and hash fragments. This tool decodes percent-encoded characters, extracts individual query string parameters, validates URL structure, and displays each component separately for analysis. It's essential for debugging web applications, analyzing API endpoints, understanding redirect chains, troubleshooting query parameters, and learning URL anatomy. The parser takes any web address and dissects it according to RFC 3986 (URI specification)—it identifies the protocol/scheme (http, https, ftp, etc.), extracts the hostname/domain and subdomains, detects the port number (explicit or default), separates the path into segments, parses query string parameters into key-value pairs, decodes URL-encoded characters (%20, %26, etc.), extracts the hash/fragment identifier, and validates overall URL syntax. The tool also shows the URL in both encoded and decoded forms.

Key Features:

  • Complete URL component breakdown (protocol, host, port, path, query, hash)
  • Query parameter extraction with key-value pair display
  • URL encoding/decoding (percent-encoded to readable text)
  • Path segment separation (splits /path/to/resource)
  • Port detection (explicit and default ports)
  • Subdomain identification (www, api, admin, etc.)
  • URL validation with error detection
  • Side-by-side comparison of encoded vs decoded URLs

How To Use

Parse a URL in two steps. Paste any web address into the input field, and the tool automatically breaks it down into all components with explanations for each part.

1

Paste URL to Parse

Copy any URL from your browser address bar, API documentation, log files, or web application and paste it into the input field. The URL can be simple (https://example.com) or complex with multiple query parameters, encoded characters, and hash fragments (https://api.example.com:8080/v2/users?id=123&name=John%20Doe&filter=%5Bactive%5D#results).

2

Review Parsed Components

The tool displays each URL component separately: Protocol shows the scheme (https://, http://, ftp://), Hostname shows the domain (example.com), Port shows explicit port or default (443 for https, 80 for http), Path shows the resource path (/v2/users), Query Parameters shows each parameter as key-value pairs (id=123, name=John Doe), and Hash shows the fragment identifier (#results). URL-encoded characters are automatically decoded for readability.

Benefits

Debugging Aid: Quickly identify malformed URLs, incorrect query parameters, or encoding issues causing application errors
API Development: Analyze API endpoint structure, verify parameter passing, and understand URL construction patterns
Security Analysis: Examine URLs for open redirects, parameter injection vulnerabilities, or suspicious encoded content
Learning Tool: Understand URL structure and how web browsers interpret different components
Query String Inspection: See exactly what data is being passed in URL parameters, crucial for debugging tracking codes and analytics
Encoding Visibility: Understand how special characters are encoded in URLs (spaces, ampersands, brackets)
Documentation Aid: Break down complex URLs when writing API documentation or technical guides

Use Cases

API Endpoint Debugging

Parse API request URLs to verify correct parameter passing, endpoint paths, and query string construction. When API requests fail, use the URL parser to check if parameters are properly encoded, the path is correct, and query parameters are in the expected format. For example, parse "https://api.example.com/v2/search?q=hello+world&limit=10&offset=0" to verify the query parameter "q" contains "hello world" (+ decoded to space), limit is 10, and offset is 0. Essential for debugging REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, and webhook URLs.

Analytics and Tracking Parameter Analysis

Extract UTM parameters, tracking codes, and campaign identifiers from URLs. Parse URLs like "https://shop.com/products?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=summer2024&fbclid=abc123" to see all tracking parameters separately. Verify UTM parameters are correctly formatted, check for missing required parameters, identify which marketing channels are passing tracking data, and troubleshoot analytics data collection issues. Useful for digital marketing teams debugging Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or custom tracking implementations.

Redirect Chain Investigation

Analyze URLs in redirect chains to understand how users are routed through multiple pages. When investigating why users end up on unexpected pages, parse each URL in the redirect sequence to see how parameters are preserved or lost. For example, if a user lands on "site.com/promo?discount=20" and redirects to "site.com/checkout", check if the discount parameter was properly passed. Essential for troubleshooting affiliate links, short URLs (bit.ly, TinyURL), and complex multi-step user flows.

Deep Link and App Link Debugging

Parse mobile deep links and universal links (app links) to verify correct structure. Analyze URLs like "myapp://product/123?ref=email&user=456" to ensure the app scheme is correct, path matches the app's routing configuration, and parameters are passed properly for in-app navigation. Debug iOS Universal Links (https://example.com/path with apple-app-site-association) and Android App Links. Verify branch.io, Firebase Dynamic Links, or custom deep linking implementations.

Security Vulnerability Testing

Examine URLs for security issues like open redirects, XSS injection attempts, or SQL injection in parameters. Parse URLs to decode suspicious-looking encoded strings that might contain malicious payloads. For example, parse "site.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fevil.com" to see it redirects to evil.com (open redirect vulnerability). Check for encoded JavaScript in parameters like "?search=%3Cscript%3Ealert%281%29%3C%2Fscript%3E". Essential for security audits, penetration testing, and validating input sanitization.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What's the difference between query parameters and path parameters?
Path parameters are part of the URL path itself (like /users/123 where 123 is a path parameter identifying a specific user), while query parameters come after the "?" and use key=value format (like /users?id=123&role=admin). Path parameters typically identify resources (which user, which product) and are considered part of the resource's address. Query parameters typically provide options, filters, or additional data (sorting, pagination, search terms) and are optional. In REST APIs, path parameters are common for CRUD operations: GET /users/123 (get user 123), while query parameters handle filtering: GET /users?role=admin&active=true (get all admin users who are active). Both are valid URL components serving different purposes.
2 Why are some characters in URLs encoded (like %20 for space)?
URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters safely. Reserved characters that have special meaning in URLs (like &, =, #, ?, /) must be encoded when used in data values. Unsafe characters (like spaces, quotes, <, >) must also be encoded. For example, space becomes %20 (or + in query strings), ampersand & becomes %26, and forward slash / becomes %2F when used in parameter values. This is called "percent encoding" or "URL encoding". Without encoding, special characters would be misinterpreted: a space in a parameter value would break parsing, & would start a new parameter, # would start a hash fragment. Always URL-encode user input before adding it to URLs to prevent parsing errors and security vulnerabilities.
3 What is the hash/fragment (#) part of a URL?
The hash fragment (everything after #) is a client-side reference that browsers use for in-page navigation but don't send to servers. For example, in "https://example.com/page#section-3", the server receives only "https://example.com/page"—the "#section-3" part stays in the browser. Browsers use it to scroll to an element with id="section-3" or to manage client-side routing in single-page applications (SPAs). In modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, Angular), hash fragments are often used for client-side routing: "/#/products/123" routes to the products page showing item 123, all handled in JavaScript without server requests. Because servers never see the hash, you can't access it in server logs or server-side code.
4 How do default ports work in URLs?
Each protocol has a default port: HTTP uses port 80, HTTPS uses port 443, FTP uses port 21. When you visit "https://example.com", the browser automatically connects to port 443 even though it's not shown in the URL. You only need to specify a port explicitly when using a non-standard port, like "https://example.com:8443" (HTTPS on port 8443 instead of default 443) or "http://localhost:3000" (development server on port 3000 instead of default 80). Including the default port explicitly ("https://example.com:443") works but is redundant. Many development environments use non-standard ports: Node.js often runs on 3000 or 8080, Django on 8000, Rails on 3000. In production, use standard ports (80/443) with a reverse proxy (nginx, Apache) or load balancer handling port forwarding.
5 Can I parse and modify URLs programmatically in JavaScript?
Yes, use the built-in URL API in JavaScript: "const url = new URL('https://example.com/path?key=value#hash'); console.log(url.protocol); // 'https:' console.log(url.hostname); // 'example.com' console.log(url.pathname); // '/path' console.log(url.searchParams.get('key')); // 'value' console.log(url.hash); // '#hash'". You can also modify URLs: "url.searchParams.set('key', 'newvalue'); url.searchParams.append('new', 'param'); url.pathname = '/newpath'; const modifiedUrl = url.toString();". The URL API automatically handles encoding/decoding and parameter management. For older browsers, use URLSearchParams for query parameter manipulation. This is safer than string manipulation as it properly handles encoding and edge cases.

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