Does it work on any link shortener, or only specific ones?

It follows standard HTTP redirects, so it works with bit.ly, t.co, and virtually any other shortener that uses normal redirect responses.

Is it safe to expand a link I suspect is malicious?

Yes — expanding just reveals the destination URL without actually loading that page's content in your browser, so you can see where it goes before deciding whether to visit it.

Does it show every redirect hop, or just the final destination?

It resolves through to the final destination URL, which is what matters for checking where a shortened link actually leads.

Does URL Expander upload my files to a server?

No. URL Expander runs entirely in your browser using on-device processing, your files never leave your device.

URL Expander

Follow a shortened link's redirects to see where it actually goes.

Processed on our server

Shortened URL

About this tool

Shortened links (bit.ly, t.co and similar) deliberately hide their real destination, which is convenient for sharing but means you can't tell where a link actually goes before clicking it — a real concern for phishing and scam links disguised behind a shortener. This tool follows a shortened link's redirect chain and shows you the final destination URL without you having to actually visit it, letting you check a suspicious or unfamiliar link is safe before opening it for real.

Frequently asked questions

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