URL Shortener

Shorten long URLs into compact, shareable links

Shorten URL

Enter a long URL to create a short link

Letters, numbers, and hyphens only (max 20 characters)

Leave empty for no expiration

How to Use URL Shortener

Create short, shareable links from long URLs

1

Enter URL

Paste or type the long URL you want to shorten (must start with http:// or https://).

2

Customize (Optional)

Optionally set a custom code for your short URL and/or set an expiration date.

3

Shorten

Click 'Shorten URL' to generate your short link.

4

Share

Copy the short URL and share it anywhere. Click the link to test it.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Short URLs are perfect for social media, emails, and anywhere character count matters.
  • Custom codes make your links more memorable and branded.
  • Set expiration dates for temporary links (e.g., event promotions).
  • All short URLs are publicly accessible - don't use for sensitive information.
  • Short URLs redirect to the original URL when clicked.

What is a URL Shortener?

A URL shortener is a web tool that converts long, complex URLs into shorter, more manageable links. Long URLs can be difficult to share, especially on platforms with character limits like Twitter, SMS, or printed materials. URL shorteners solve this problem by creating compact links that redirect to the original URL.

URL shorteners are widely used for:

  • Social media sharing (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
  • Email marketing campaigns
  • SMS and messaging apps
  • Printed materials and QR codes
  • Analytics and link tracking
  • Creating memorable branded links

Our free URL shortener allows you to create short links instantly without any registration. You can also create custom short codes to make your links more memorable and branded, and set expiration dates for temporary links.

How URL Shortener Works?

Our URL shortener works in a simple, secure process:

Step 1: Enter your long URL

Paste or type the long URL you want to shorten. The URL must start with http:// or https://.

Step 2: Customize (Optional)

  • Set a custom code (3-20 characters, letters, numbers, and hyphens only)
  • Set an expiration date in days (optional)

Step 3: Generate Short URL

Click "Shorten URL" to generate your short link. The system creates a unique short code and stores the mapping.

Step 4: Share and Track

Copy your short URL and share it anywhere. When someone clicks the short URL, they're automatically redirected to the original long URL. You can also track click statistics.

Example:

Long URL: https://www.example.com/very/long/path/to/page?param1=value1&param2=value2

Short URL: https://tooldeckhub.com/s/abc123

The short URL is much easier to share and remember, while still directing users to the exact same destination.

Benefits of URL Shortener

Using a URL shortener offers several advantages:

Character Savings: Shorten long URLs to save characters on platforms like Twitter (280 characters) or SMS (160 characters). This allows you to include more text in your message.

Cleaner Appearance: Short URLs look more professional and are easier to read in emails, presentations, and printed materials. They're less likely to break across lines.

Custom Branding: Create custom short codes that reflect your brand or message (e.g., tooldeckhub.com/s/special-offer). This makes links more memorable and trustworthy.

Link Tracking: Track how many times your short URL has been clicked, helping you measure the effectiveness of your campaigns and content.

No Login Required: Our URL shortener is completely free and doesn't require any registration. Create unlimited short URLs instantly without signing up.

Expiration Control: Set expiration dates for temporary links, perfect for time-sensitive promotions, events, or limited-time offers.

How to Use URL Shortener?

Using our URL shortener is simple and straightforward:

Basic Usage:

  1. Copy your long URL
  2. Paste it into the "Long URL" field
  3. Click "Shorten URL"
  4. Copy and share your short URL

Advanced Features:

  • Custom Code: Create memorable links like tooldeckhub.com/s/my-brand. Custom codes must be 3-20 characters using only letters, numbers, and hyphens.
  • Expiration Date: Set how many days until the link expires (e.g., 7 days for a weekly promotion). Leave empty for permanent links.
  • Click Tracking: View how many times your short URL has been clicked to measure engagement.

Best Practices:

  • Use custom codes for important links to make them more memorable
  • Set expiration dates for temporary promotions or events
  • Test your short URL after creation to ensure it works correctly
  • Don't use short URLs for sensitive information as they're publicly accessible

Our tool makes URL shortening quick, easy, and free - no account needed!

Frequently Asked Questions

A URL shortener is a tool that converts long URLs into shorter, more manageable links. It's useful for sharing links on social media, in emails, or anywhere character count matters. Short URLs redirect to the original long URL when clicked, making them perfect for marketing campaigns and social sharing.

Related Tools