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JWT Decoder Pro

Decode, inspect, and verify JSON Web Tokens securely in your browser.

Encoded Token

100% Client-Side

All decoding and verification happens locally in your browser. Your tokens are never sent to any server.

Paste a JWT to Get Started

Enter a valid JSON Web Token on the left to inspect its header, payload, and verify its signature.

Deep Dive: JWT Decoder & Inspector

Published 2024-01-01T08:00:00+08:00
Last updated 2025-12-30T13:45:00+05:00

A powerful, local-only JWT debugger. Split tokens into Header, Payload, and Signature instantly. Check expiration dates and validate JSON structure without sending data to any server.

JSON Web Tokens (JWT) might look like a random jumble of letters and numbers, but they’re actually a super organized way for websites to remember who you are. Usually, you’ll see them in your browser’s cookies or header when you log into a site. But if you’re a student trying to build your first login system or a developer debugging a "broken" session, you need to see what’s actually inside that token. Our JWT Decoder & Inspector is like a digital X-ray for your tokens. It splits the token into three color-coded sections: the Header (usually red), the Payload (the bulk of the info, usually purple), and the Signature (the blue part that keeps it secure). We handle all the annoying Base64URL decoding for you and show the data in a clean, readable format. I remember the first time I saw a JWT—I thought it was some kind of encrypted password. But here is the secret: it’s not encrypted, it’s just encoded. Anyone can read it if they know how! That’s why you should never put sensitive stuff like passwords inside a JWT. Our tool helps you see exactly what you’re sending over the wire. We even parse the "Expiration" (exp) and "Issued At" (iat) timestamps into human-readable dates, so you don’t have to guess if your token is still valid. Most importantly, everything happens right here in your browser. Your private tokens never leave your laptop, which is way safer than those sketchy online decoders that might keep a record of your login data. It’s perfect for learning how modern web security works without the headache of writing your own parser. Whether you are debugging a production API or just curious about how Auth0 or Firebase works under the hood, this is the tool you need.

Privacy Architecture

This tool uses client-side WebAssembly to ensure your data never touches a server. Secure, fast, and 100% private by design.

Secure Engine Active

Core Capabilities

  • Real-time decoding with color-coded token segments
  • Pretty-print JSON with syntax highlighting
  • Human-readable timestamp parsing (exp, iat, nbf)
  • Automatic Base64URL padding and character correction
  • Local-only: your tokens never leave your device
  • One-click copy for Header and Payload JSON
  • Signature verification stub for HS256 tokens
  • Claim analysis and warnings for expired tokens

Why It Matters

  • Privacy: Securely inspect login tokens without cloud exposure.
  • Learning: Understand the "three-part" structure of modern web auth.
  • Speed: Instant feedback for debugging complex API issues.
  • Security: Verify that you aren’t accidentally leaking sensitive data in your payloads.

Quick Start Guide

01

Copy that long, messy string starting with "eyJ" from your app’s console or network tab.

02

Drop it into the input box. Our tool starts decoding instantly—no "Submit" button required.

03

Check the red box to see the "alg" (algorithm) and "typ" (type). This tells you how the token was made.

04

This is the main data. Look for your username, user ID, and any custom claims your app added.

05

We highlight the "exp" claim and translate it into a readable time (like "Expires in 5 minutes").

06

If you have the secret key, you can paste it to verify if the signature is actually valid.

Questions?

Technical Architecture

Base64URL Stream Parser

JWTs use Base64URL (RFC 4648), which is different from standard Base64. Our parser automatically swaps `-` with `+` and `_` with `/`, and adds the correct `=` padding before using the browser’s `atob()` function, preventing the common "Invalid String" error.

Deterministic JSON Formatting

Once decoded, the raw string is passed through `JSON.parse()` and then re-stringified with 2-space indentation. This ensures that even "minified" tokens are perfectly readable in the UI.

Web Crypto Verification (HS256)

For HMAC-SHA256 tokens, we use the `SubtleCrypto.importKey` and `SubtleCrypto.verify` APIs to perform a real signature check if a secret is provided, allowing you to debug signing issues entirely client-side.

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