.\" generated by cd2nroff 0.1 from curl_unescape.md
.TH curl_unescape 3 "2026-09-02" libcurl
.SH NAME
curl_unescape \- URL decode a string
.SH SYNOPSIS
.nf
#include <curl/curl.h>

char *curl_unescape(const char *input, int length);
.fi
.SH DESCRIPTION
Deprecated. Use \fIcurl_easy_unescape(3)\fP instead.

This function converts the URL encoded string \fBinput\fP to a "plain string"
and return that as a new allocated string. All input characters that are URL
encoded (%XX where XX is a two\-digit hexadecimal number) are converted to
their plain text versions. Although not constrained by its type, the returned
data may not be altered.

If the \fBlength\fP argument is set to 0, \fIcurl_unescape(3)\fP calls
strlen() on \fBinput\fP to find out the size.

You must \fIcurl_free(3)\fP the returned string when you are done with it.
.SH PROTOCOLS
This functionality affects all supported protocols
.SH EXAMPLE
.nf
int main(void)
{
  CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
  if(curl) {
    char *decoded = curl_unescape("%63%75%72%6c", 12);
    if(decoded) {
      /* do not assume printf() works on the decoded data */
      printf("Decoded: ");
      /* ... */
      curl_free(decoded);
    }
  }
}
.fi
.SH DEPRECATED
Since 7.15.4, \fIcurl_easy_unescape(3)\fP should be used. This function might
be removed in a future release.
.SH AVAILABILITY
Added in curl 7.1
.SH RETURN VALUE
A pointer to a null\-terminated string or NULL if it failed.
.SH SEE ALSO
.BR RFC 2396,
.BR curl_easy_escape (3),
.BR curl_easy_unescape (3),
.BR curl_free (3)