JWT Decoder
EncodersNeed to inspect the contents of a JSON Web Token? Our free online JWT decoder allows you to instantly view the header, payload, and signature of any JWT for debugging and security auditing.
JWT Token
Decoded JSON
Need to inspect the contents of a JSON Web Token? Our free online JWT decoder allows you to instantly view the header, payload, and signature of any JWT for debugging and security auditing.
Search for a command to run...
Paste your encoded JWT string into the input text area.
The tool automatically parses the token into its three distinct segments.
View the Header and Payload sections to inspect claims and metadata.
Check the Signature status to understand how the token was signed.
Copy specific JSON objects from the output for use in your configuration files or code.
Best Practice
Never store sensitive information like passwords or private keys in a JWT payload.
Automatic Parsing: Instantly splits the token into Header, Payload, and Signature sections.
Syntax Highlighting: Displays the decoded JSON data with clear formatting for easy reading.
Client-Side Processing: Your tokens are decoded locally in your browser for maximum privacy and security.
Claims Visualization: Easily identify standard claims like expiration (exp), issued at (iat), and issuer (iss).
Did You Know?
JWTs are Base64Url encoded, which uses '-' and '_' instead of '+' and '/' to be URL-safe.
Rapid Debugging: Quickly identify issues with authentication tokens without writing custom code.
Verify Token Contents: Ensure that your backend is issuing tokens with the correct scopes and user data.
No Dependencies: Inspect tokens on the fly from any device without installing command-line tools or npm packages.
Understand Expiration: Convert UNIX timestamps within the token to understand exactly when a session will expire.
A JSON Web Token (JWT) is an open standard (RFC 7519) that defines a compact and self-contained way for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. This information can be verified and trusted because it is digitally signed. JWTs are typically used for authorization—once a user is logged in, each subsequent request will include the JWT, allowing the user to access routes, services, and resources that are permitted with that token.
Tip
Always check the 'exp' claim to verify if a token has expired before attempting to use it.
Integrating JWT inspection into your workflow is crucial for modern web security. During API development, use a decoder to verify that your authorization headers are correctly formatted and contain the expected 'aud' (audience) and 'sub' (subject). For frontend developers, decoding a token locally helps in determining UI state, such as showing or hiding admin panels based on the 'role' claim found within the payload before even making a network request.
Q: Is my token sent to the server? A: No, our JWT decoder performs all calculations locally in your browser, ensuring your authentication data stays private.
Q: Why can I see the payload if the token is secure? A: JWTs are encoded, not encrypted. Anyone with the token can read the payload; the security comes from the signature which prevents tampering.
Q: Can I use this tool to edit a JWT? A: You can view the contents, but you cannot re-sign a token without the original secret key or private key used by the issuer.
Q: What does 'Invalid Token' mean? A: This usually means the string provided is not a valid Base64Url encoded sequence or is missing the standard three-part structure.
Did You Know?
A standard JWT consists of three parts: Header, Payload, and Signature, separated by dots.
RFC 7519 Official Specification - The technical standard for JSON Web Tokens.
Introduction to JWTs - A comprehensive guide on how JWTs work.
OWASP JWT Security Cheat Sheet - Best practices for using JWTs securely.