Query String Parser

How to Use Query String Parser

Query String Parser is a powerful developer tool that parses URL query strings into readable key-value pairs. Whether you're debugging API calls, analyzing tracking parameters, or inspecting web application URLs, this tool makes query data easy to understand.

Quick Start Guide

1. Paste Your URL: Copy any URL with query parameters (the part after ?) and paste it into the input area
2. Automatic Parsing: The tool instantly parses all query parameters and displays them in a structured table
3. Review Results: Examine parameters, their values, and automatically decoded values
4. Copy Results: Export the parsed data as JSON or tab-separated format for use in your applications

Understanding Query Strings

What are Query Strings?

Query strings are the part of a URL that contains data to be passed to web applications. They appear after the question mark (?) and contain key-value pairs:

https://example.com/search?q=javascript&category=tutorials&sort=date
                           ↑
                    Query string starts here

Query String Format:

Parameters are formatted as key=value pairs separated by ampersands (&):

key1=value1&key2=value2&key3=value3

URL Encoding:

Special characters in query parameters are URL-encoded for safe transmission:

• Spaces become %20 or +
• Special characters are converted to %XX format
• Forward slash / becomes %2F
• Equals = becomes %3D

Common Use Cases

1. Search and Filter URLs

Before:

https://example.com/search?q=javascript&category=tutorials&sort=date

After Parsing:

• q = javascript
• category = tutorials
• sort = date

2. E-commerce Product Filters

Before:

https://shop.com/products?category=electronics&price_min=100&price_max=500&brand=apple&brand=samsung

After Parsing:

• category = electronics
• price_min = 100
• price_max = 500
• brand = apple (first occurrence)
• brand = samsung (second occurrence - array parameter)

3. Analytics and Tracking Parameters

Before:

https://example.com/page?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=summer_sale&utm_content=ad_variant_a

After Parsing:

• utm_source = google
• utm_medium = cpc
• utm_campaign = summer_sale
• utm_content = ad_variant_a

4. API Endpoints with Encoded Data

Before:

https://api.example.com/data?filter=%7B%22status%22%3A%22active%22%7D&fields=name%2Cemail%2Cphone

After Parsing:

• filter (encoded) = %7B%22status%22%3A%22active%22%7D
• filter (decoded) = {"status":"active"}
• fields (encoded) = name%2Cemail%2Cphone
• fields (decoded) = name,email,phone

5. Pagination and Sorting

Before:

https://blog.com/posts?page=2&limit=20&sort_by=date&order=desc

After Parsing:

• page = 2
• limit = 20
• sort_by = date
• order = desc

6. Authentication and Session Parameters

Before:

https://app.com/callback?code=abc123&state=xyz789&session_state=def456

After Parsing:

• code = abc123
• state = xyz789
• session_state = def456

Features

Flexible Input

• Accepts full URLs with protocol and domain
• Works with just the query string portion
• Handles fragments (#hash) correctly
• Extracts base URL separately

Automatic URL Decoding

• Detects and decodes URL-encoded values
• Shows both original and decoded values
• Handles complex encoded strings like JSON
• Supports UTF-8 characters

Duplicate Detection

• Identifies parameters with duplicate keys
• Common in array parameters and filters
• Helps debug API issues
• Shows all occurrences

Multiple Export Formats

• Copy as JSON for programmatic use
• Copy as table (tab-separated) for spreadsheets
• Handles duplicate keys as arrays in JSON
• Easy integration with other tools

Real-Time Parsing

• Instant results as you type
• No "Parse" button needed
• Live statistics and metrics
• URL component extraction

Privacy-Focused

• 100% client-side processing
• No data sent to servers
• Your URLs stay private
• No logging or tracking

Technical Details

Parsing Algorithm:

1. URL Detection: Identifies if input is full URL or just query string
2. Component Extraction: Separates base URL, query string, and fragment
3. URLSearchParams API: Uses native browser API for accurate parsing
4. URL Decoding: Attempts to decode values containing % or + characters
5. Duplicate Handling: Tracks parameter keys to identify duplicates

URLSearchParams API:

The tool uses the standard URLSearchParams browser API:

• Spec-compliant parsing
• Handles edge cases correctly
• Supports + as space character
• Preserves empty values
• Orders parameters as they appear

Performance:

• Handles long URLs (2000+ characters)
• Instant parsing with React useMemo
• Efficient duplicate detection
• No performance impact on typing

Best Practices

When Debugging URLs:

1. Copy the entire URL from browser address bar
2. Or copy from Network tab in DevTools
3. Paste directly into the parser
4. Check for duplicate parameters
5. Verify encoded values are decoded correctly

Common URL Issues to Check:

• Missing ? before query string
• Double encoding (encoding already encoded values)
• Special characters not encoded
• Spaces as + vs %20
• Reserved characters (&, =, #) in values

Security Considerations:

• Avoid sharing URLs with sensitive tokens
• Be cautious with session IDs and API keys
• Clear URLs after debugging
• Use HTTPS for URLs with sensitive data

Working with Query Strings

Building Query Strings:

In JavaScript:

const params = new URLSearchParams({
  q: "javascript",
  category: "tutorials"
})
console.log(params.toString())
// Output: q=javascript&category=tutorials

Reading Query Strings:

In JavaScript:

const url = new URL(window.location.href)
const q = url.searchParams.get("q")
const category = url.searchParams.get("category")

Array Parameters:

Multiple values with same key:

?tags=javascript&tags=tutorial&tags=web

Encoded array:

?tags=javascript%2Ctutorial%2Cweb
// Decodes to: javascript,tutorial,web

Comparison with Other Tools

Query String Parser vs. Browser DevTools:

• ✅ Shows decoded values automatically
• ✅ Detects duplicates
• ✅ Easy copy/export options
• ✅ Cleaner, focused interface

Query String Parser vs. Manual Parsing:

• ✅ Instant results
• ✅ No programming required
• ✅ Handles complex encodings
• ✅ Visual table format

Query String Parser vs. Online URL Decoders:

• ✅ Query-specific parsing
• ✅ Parameter extraction
• ✅ Structured output
• ✅ Privacy-focused (client-side)

Troubleshooting

Issue: Parameters not appearing

Solution: Ensure your query string starts with ? or paste the full URL. The parser automatically detects both formats.

Issue: Values showing as encoded

Solution: The tool automatically decodes URL-encoded values. Check the "Decoded Value" column. If still encoded, it may be double-encoded.

Issue: Duplicate parameter warning

Solution: This is normal for array parameters (like multiple filters). Many APIs use this pattern. The JSON export will combine them into an array.

Issue: Fragment (#) appearing in parameters

Solution: The tool separates URL fragments from query parameters. Check the "URL Components" section above the parameters table.

Browser Compatibility

This tool works in all modern browsers:

• ✅ Chrome/Edge (latest)
• ✅ Firefox (latest)
• ✅ Safari (latest)
• ✅ Opera (latest)

Required Features:

• JavaScript enabled
• URLSearchParams API support
• Clipboard API (for copy functionality)
• CSS Grid support (for layout)

Privacy & Security

Client-Side Processing:

All query string parsing happens entirely in your browser. Your URL data:

• Never leaves your device
• Is not sent to any server
• Is not logged or stored
• Disappears when you close/refresh the page

Safe for Sensitive Data:

You can safely parse URLs containing:

• API keys and tokens
• Session IDs
• Authentication codes
• Personal information
• Any other sensitive parameters

Best Security Practices:

• Clear URLs after debugging
• Don't share screenshots with tokens
• Use incognito mode for testing
• Be aware of shoulder surfing
• Sanitize URLs before sharing

Advanced Use Cases

API Testing:

Parse API endpoint URLs to verify parameters:

curl "https://api.example.com/users?page=1&limit=10"
# Copy URL from terminal
# Paste into Query String Parser

Google Analytics UTM Tracking:

Analyze marketing campaign URLs:

• utm_source: Traffic source (google, facebook)
• utm_medium: Marketing medium (cpc, email)
• utm_campaign: Campaign name
• utm_term: Paid keywords
• utm_content: Ad variation

OAuth Callback URLs:

Debug OAuth authentication flows:

• code: Authorization code
• state: CSRF token
• error: Error code
• error_description: Error details

Social Media Share URLs:

Inspect social sharing parameters:

• Facebook: u, quote, hashtag
• Twitter: url, text, via, hashtags
• LinkedIn: url, mini, title, summary

Quick Reference

Common Parameter Names:

Search & Filter:

• q, query, search - Search terms
• page, offset, limit - Pagination
• sort, order, orderBy - Sorting
• filter, category, tag - Filtering

Analytics:

• utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign - Google Analytics
• gclid - Google Ads click ID
• fbclid - Facebook click ID
• ref, referrer - Traffic source

API:

• api_key, key, token - Authentication
• format, output - Response format
• callback - JSONP callback
• fields, include - Field selection

URL Encoding Reference:

• Space: %20 or +
• /: %2F
• ?: %3F
• #: %23
• &: %26
• =: %3D
• %: %25

Export Formats:

JSON Format (duplicates as arrays):

{
  "param1": "value1",
  "param2": ["value2a", "value2b"]
}

Table Format:

param1    value1
param2    value2a
param2    value2b

Tips & Tricks

1. Use Examples: Click example buttons to see different URL patterns
2. Compare Encodings: Check "Decoded Value" column for URL decoding
3. Export for APIs: Copy as JSON to use in API testing tools
4. Bookmark Tool: Save time when debugging web applications
5. Share with Team: Collaborate on URL debugging
6. Test Marketing URLs: Verify UTM parameters are correct
7. Debug Redirects: Parse URLs from redirect chains
8. Validate Forms: Check GET form submissions

Related Tools

• Cookie Parser: Parse HTTP cookie strings
• JWT Decoder: Decode JSON Web Tokens
• Base64 Encoder/Decoder: Encode/decode Base64 strings
• JSON Formatter: Format and validate JSON
• URL Encoder: Encode text for use in URLs