A JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims between two parties. It consists of three parts: header, payload, and signature, separated by dots.

Is it safe to decode JWTs online?

Yes! Our JWT decoder runs entirely in your browser. No tokens are sent to any server. However, never share JWTs containing sensitive data publicly.

What information does a JWT contain?

The header contains the token type and algorithm. The payload contains claims (user data, expiration time, etc.). The signature verifies the token's integrity.

What does the 'exp' field mean?

The 'exp' (expiration) field is a Unix timestamp indicating when the token expires. Our tool automatically converts this to a human-readable date and shows if the token is expired.

Can I verify a JWT signature here?

This tool decodes and displays JWT contents but does not verify signatures, as that requires the secret key or public key used to sign the token.

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JWT Decoder

Decode and inspect JSON Web Tokens (JWT) online

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JWT Token

What is the JWT Decoder?

Written and maintained by the BitConvert team · Feb 27, 2026

The JWT Decoder unpacks a JSON Web Token so you can read what it actually contains. A JWT is three Base64URL-encoded segments joined by dots in the form header.payload.signature. The tool splits the token on those dots, decodes the first two segments back into JSON, and displays the header (which names the signing algorithm and token type) and the payload (the claims, such as subject, issuer, roles, and timestamps) in a clean, readable layout.

Importantly, this is a decoder, not a verifier. It inspects and pretty-prints the claims client-side but does not check the signature, because doing so requires the secret or public key that signed the token. It does read the standard exp claim and tell you, in human-readable form, whether the token has already expired. Every token you paste is processed entirely in your browser and never sent to a server, so sensitive auth data stays on your machine.

Key Features

Header & Payload Decode

Splits the token on its dots and renders the decoded header and claim set as formatted, easy-to-scan JSON.

Expiration Check

Reads the exp claim and converts the Unix timestamp into a readable date, flagging whether the token is still valid.

Inspection, Not Verification

Decodes and displays claims client-side but does not validate the signature, which would require the signing key.

Fully Client-Side

Tokens are parsed entirely in your browser and are never transmitted, keeping access and refresh tokens private.

Common Use Cases

Debug a stubborn 401 by confirming whether an access token has actually expired. Inspect the roles, scopes, or permissions embedded in a token before wiring up API authorization. Confirm that your auth server is issuing the expected issuer, audience, and subject claims. Read a token during frontend development to see what user context the backend will receive. Learn how JWTs are structured by decoding real examples and examining each field.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: Feb 27, 2026