URL Shortener Free Online
Paste any long URL and get a short, shareable link in one click. Every link includes a scannable QR code. No signup, no cost — your recent links are saved in your browser.
How to Shorten a URL
- 1Paste your long URL into the input field — make sure it starts with https:// or http://.
- 2Press Shorten or hit Enter. The tool contacts TinyURL (with is.gd as a fallback) and returns your short link in under a second.
- 3Click Copy to copy the short link to your clipboard. A QR code is generated automatically — screenshot or scan it to share on mobile.
- 4Your last 8 shortened links appear in the Recent panel below the tool, so you can copy any of them again without re-shortening.
Why Shorten URLs?
Long URLs are awkward to share in messages, emails, social posts, and printed material. A typical URL containing tracking parameters, deep directory paths, or encoded characters can run to several hundred characters — well over the limits of SMS, Twitter/X (now 23 characters reserved per link), or a printed flyer.
A short link solves all of these problems at once. It is easier to type, easier to remember, visually less intimidating, and it fits anywhere. The destination URL is unchanged — the short link simply redirects the visitor to the original page the moment they click or scan it.
Tips for Sharing Short Links
Use QR Codes for Print
Screenshot the QR code and embed it in flyers, business cards, or presentations. Anyone with a smartphone camera can scan it without typing a URL.
Shorten Before Social Posts
Platforms like Twitter/X still count long URLs against your character limit even when auto-shortened. Shorten first, then paste the compact link into your post.
Check the Recent Panel
Your last 8 links are stored locally. If you shorten the same URL again, the previous entry is replaced — keeping your history clean and without duplicates.
Always Include the Protocol
Make sure your URL starts with https:// or http://. The tool validates this and will prompt you if the protocol is missing — a common cause of “invalid URL” errors.
Test Before Sharing
Click the short link in the result box to verify it opens the correct page. is.gd redirects directly — no interstitial. If the destination loads correctly, the link is ready to share.
Pair With the QR Generator
Need a higher-resolution QR code with a custom colour? Use our QR Code Generator tool — paste the short link there to get a fully customisable QR image you can download as PNG.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the URL shortener work?
You paste a long URL and press Shorten. The tool sends your URL to is.gd through our server (to avoid browser CORS restrictions). is.gd creates a short link that redirects visitors directly to your destination — no interstitial or preview page. If is.gd is unavailable, TinyURL is tried automatically. The resulting short link is permanent and hosted by the third-party service — not by PublicSoftTools.
Are the short links permanent?
Yes. Links created via TinyURL and is.gd are permanent and do not expire. Both services have been operating for over a decade and host billions of active links. The short link will continue to work as long as those services remain online.
Is there a cost or rate limit?
This tool is completely free with no account required. TinyURL's public API and is.gd both allow reasonable usage without registration. For very high volume use cases (hundreds of links per hour), you may encounter temporary rate limits from the underlying services — in that case, wait a minute and try again.
What is the QR code for?
Every shortened URL automatically gets a QR code that encodes the same short link. You can scan it with any smartphone camera to open the link — useful for sharing links in presentations, on printed material, or for quickly transferring a link to a mobile device.
Does the tool store my URLs?
Your recent links are saved locally in your browser's localStorage so you can copy them again without re-shortening. This history never leaves your device — it is not sent to PublicSoftTools' servers. The URL you shorten is sent to TinyURL or is.gd to generate the short link.
Can I track click statistics?
This free tool does not include click analytics. For tracking, you would need to create a free account on TinyURL.com or Bitly.com and shorten links while logged in — those accounts provide dashboards with click counts, geographic data, and referral sources.
What types of URLs can I shorten?
Any URL starting with http:// or https:// can be shortened — web pages, direct file download links, Google Docs and Sheets, YouTube videos, social media profiles, and more. URLs without a protocol prefix (e.g., just "example.com") will not be accepted — make sure to include https:// at the start.
Why does my short link show an error?
If TinyURL or is.gd rejects a URL, it is usually because the destination contains malware or violates the service's terms (adult content, phishing, spam). Both services scan links before shortening. If your link is legitimate and still fails, try the other service manually (tinyurl.com or is.gd) to check the specific error message.