URL Expander
Paste a short link to see where it really goes, before you click. Unshortens bit.ly, TinyURL, t.co and any short link, with the full redirect chain.
Last updated by the URLyte team
Why expand a short link?
See the real destination
Reveal exactly where a short link leads before you click, so you never open a page you did not expect.
The full redirect chain
Some links bounce through several hops. See every one, and the final URL at the end of the trail.
Click more safely
Short links hide their destination, a favourite trick for scams and phishing. Expand first, then decide.
Works on any shortener
bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co, cutt.ly, rebrandly and more, if it redirects, this tool follows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a URL expander?
A URL expander (or unshortener) takes a short link like bit.ly/abc123 and reveals the full, real destination it points to, along with every redirect it passes through. Paste a link above and it shows you where the link actually goes before you click.
How do I unshorten a URL?
Paste the short link into the box above and press Expand link. URLyte follows the redirects server-side and shows you the final destination plus the full redirect chain. No sign-up needed.
Why should I expand a short link before clicking?
Short links hide their destination, which is exactly why scammers and phishing campaigns love them. Expanding a link first lets you see the real URL and decide whether it is safe before you open it.
Which shorteners does it work with?
Any service that uses HTTP redirects, including bit.ly, TinyURL, t.co, cutt.ly, Rebrandly, and URLyte's own links. It follows the chain up to a dozen hops and stops safely if a link tries to redirect to a private address.
Is the URL expander free?
Yes, expanding links is completely free with no sign-up. If you want to create your own short links that you can track and manage, create a free URLyte account.
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