Dev utility

JWT decoder

Paste a JSON Web Token to read its header and payload, with the time claims spelled out. Everything happens in your browser — the token never leaves this page.

What's in a JWT

A JSON Web Token is three base64url parts separated by dots: a header (the signing algorithm), a payload (the claims), and a signature. The first two are just encoded JSON — not encrypted — so anyone can read them. The signature is what proves the token wasn't tampered with.

The standard time claims

exp
Expiry — the token is invalid after this time.
iat
Issued-at — when the token was created.
nbf
Not-before — the token isn't valid until this time.

These are Unix timestamps (seconds since 1970); they're shown here as readable UTC dates.

Decode, not verify

This tool only reads the token — it does not check the signature, which would need the secret or public key. A decoded payload tells you what a token claims, not whether it's genuine. And because decoding is local, it's safe to paste a token here — but as a habit, don't paste production secrets into any web tool.

Sources & references