Online Tool Store
URL Unshortener
Reveal the final destination and redirect chain of a shortened URL, with an example result shown.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Example shown - following redirects for an arbitrary short link requires a cross-origin network request, which browsers block for security (CORS). This preview doesn't connect to other domains.
Final destination
Redirect chain
How the URL unshortener works
- Paste a shortened URL and click Reveal destination.
- See the final destination URL and the full redirect chain.
- Use this to check where a link leads before clicking it.
FAQ
Why can't this tool unshorten any link I paste in?
Following HTTP redirects for an arbitrary domain from your browser requires a cross-origin network request, which is blocked by CORS for security. A real unshortener needs a server to make that request on your behalf.
How can I check a short link safely without clicking it?
Use a dedicated link-expansion website, or add debug parameters some shorteners support (like appending "+" to a bit.ly link) to preview the destination before visiting.
Why might a URL have more than one redirect in its chain?
Marketing links, affiliate links, and tracking redirects often bounce through multiple intermediate URLs before reaching the final destination page.
Is unshortening useful for anything besides curiosity?
Yes - it's a common way to check whether a shortened link is safe before clicking it, since short URLs can obscure malicious or unexpected destinations.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Clicking the link yourself | Server-backed link expander |
|---|---|---|---|
| See destination before visiting | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full redirect chain shown | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| No install required | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
For real-time unshortening of any link, use a dedicated server-backed link expander service.