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JWT Decoder

Decode and validate JSON Web Tokens instantly. View header, payload, signature, and expiration details.

Enter a JWT token to decode

Paste your token above or use the example to see how it works. All processing happens locally in your browser.

Privacy-First Design

All decoding happens in your browser. Your JWT tokens never leave your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a JWT token?

JWT (JSON Web Token) is a compact, URL-safe token format used for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It consists of three parts: header, payload, and signature, separated by dots. JWTs are commonly used for authentication and authorization in modern web applications, allowing servers to verify requests without storing session state.

Is it safe to decode JWT tokens online?

Our JWT decoder is completely safe because all decoding happens locally in your browser—no data is sent to any server. However, you should never decode tokens containing sensitive production data on untrusted websites. JWT tokens can contain personal information, user IDs, permissions, and other sensitive data. Always verify that online tools process data client-side only.

How do I decode a JWT token?

To decode a JWT: (1) Copy your JWT token from your application or API response, (2) Remove the "Bearer" prefix if present, (3) Paste the token into our decoder input field above. The tool will automatically decode and display the header, payload, expiration time, and validity status. You can also programmatically decode JWTs using libraries like jsonwebtoken (Node.js) or jose (browser/Node.js).

What does Bearer mean in JWT authentication?

"Bearer" is an authentication scheme defined in HTTP RFC 6750. When you send an API request with JWT authentication, you typically include it in the Authorization header as "Bearer <token>". This indicates that whoever "bears" (possesses) the token should be granted access. The server validates the token signature and claims before allowing the request. Bearer tokens are stateless and don't require session storage.

Can I verify JWT signature with this tool?

Our tool decodes and displays JWT contents but does not verify the cryptographic signature—signature verification requires the secret key or public key used to sign the token, which should never be entered into online tools. To verify a JWT signature, use backend libraries like jsonwebtoken (Node.js), PyJWT (Python), or jose (JavaScript) with your secret/public key. Our decoder does show whether the token is expired or malformed based on the exp claim.