FTP URL Parser — Split a Connection String into Its Parts

Paste any ftp://, ftps:// or sftp:// connection string and this tool splits it into its pieces — protocol, host, port, username, password and path. The parsing runs right here in your browser, with nothing sent to a server and nothing stored.

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Why parse an FTP or SFTP URL?

Connection details often arrive as a single long URL — a host gives you ftp://, a colleague pastes an SFTP string, or a backup script prints one in a log. A connection string packs protocol, username, password, host, port and a path into one line, which is handy to hand around but hard to read at a glance. Splitting it into parts tells you exactly what host to connect to, which port to use, and what directory you start in — so you can enter those details correctly in any FTP or SFTP client, this site's included, without misreading a crowded string.

How the parser works

The tool hands your string to the browser's built-in URL Parser (the same standards-compliant parser the browser already uses), then presents the resulting pieces in separate rows you can read and copy. Percent-encoded characters — such as a space as %20 or special characters in a username or password — are decoded so you see the real values. When a port isn't in the URL, the tool lists the standard default: 21 for FTP, 990 for FTPS and 22 for SFTP. A query string (the part after a ?) isn't part of a connection and is ignored.

Honest note: a password in a URL is decoded and shown in plain text

If the URL you paste contains a password, this tool decodes it and can display it in plain text. Decoding happens only on your device — nothing is sent anywhere — but a real password is sensitive, so treat the field accordingly: only paste a real URL if you are sure you need to, click Show only when you must read the password, and use the Clear button to wipe the field when you're done. Because FTP sends credentials and data in the clear, prefer SFTP for anything you actually connect to.

Frequently asked questions

Is the URL I paste sent anywhere?

No. Parsing happens entirely in your browser using the built-in URL Parser — the URL is never sent to a server, never uploaded, and never stored. The only place it appears is the browser tab you are using.

Will my password show in plain text?

Any password embedded in the URL is decoded and shown in plain text so you can read the individual parts — but the decoding happens only on your own device and the password field is masked until you click Show. Since a password in a URL is sensitive, clear the field when you're done and avoid pasting a real URL unless you're sure you need to.

Got the parts? Now connect for real

Once you know your host, port and credentials, connect straight from the browser with FilePort Pro's web SFTP client — no software to install, encrypted connection, and your credentials are never stored. Planning a big move? Use the transfer time calculator first, and verify any download with the checksum calculator.

If your host runs plain FTP rather than SFTP, start a transfer in the browser with the free web FTP client instead.

Connect Now — transfer files from your browser

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Want to know exactly how the app handles your data? Read the security page and the privacy policy.