AllToolsHQ

Professional JWT Encoder & Decoder

Encode, decode, and validate JSON Web Tokens with real-time processing

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JWT Algorithm Support

Comprehensive support for all major JWT signing algorithms with security recommendations

HMAC

Symmetric

Hash-based Message Authentication Code using shared secret

Algorithms:

HS256HS384HS512

Common Use Cases:

  • Internal APIs
  • Microservices
  • Simple authentication
Security Level:Medium to High
Key Requirement:Shared secret key

RSA

Asymmetric

RSA digital signatures with PKCS#1 padding

Algorithms:

RS256RS384RS512

Common Use Cases:

  • Public APIs
  • Cross-domain auth
  • Enterprise systems
Security Level:High
Key Requirement:RSA key pair (2048+ bits)

ECDSA

Asymmetric

Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm

Algorithms:

ES256ES384ES512

Common Use Cases:

  • Mobile apps
  • IoT devices
  • Modern web services
Security Level:Very High
Key Requirement:EC key pair

RSA-PSS

Asymmetric

RSA signatures with Probabilistic Signature Scheme

Algorithms:

PS256PS384PS512

Common Use Cases:

  • High-security applications
  • Government systems
Security Level:Very High
Key Requirement:RSA key pair (2048+ bits)

Professional JWT Token Management

Advanced JWT tools for developers, security engineers, and API architects

JWT Token Decoder

Decode JWT tokens to extract header, payload claims, and signature information with comprehensive validation

JWT Token Encoder

Create custom JWT tokens with configurable headers, claims, and multiple signing algorithms

Multi-Algorithm Support

Support for HMAC (HS256/384/512), RSA (RS256/384/512), ECDSA (ES256/384/512), and RSA-PSS (PS256/384/512)

Expiration Validation

Automatic expiration checking with time-to-expiry calculations and renewal recommendations

Claims Extraction

Parse and display all standard and custom JWT claims with type validation and formatting

Token Validation

Comprehensive structure validation with detailed error reporting and security recommendations

Header Analysis

Extract and analyze JWT headers including algorithm verification and key ID information

Real-time Processing

Instant encoding and decoding with live validation feedback and performance metrics

Developer Tools

Copy tokens and claims, generate sample tokens, and export validation results for debugging

Enterprise JWT Use Cases

Real-world applications of JWT tokens in modern authentication and authorization

API Authentication & Authorization

Secure API endpoints with token-based authentication and fine-grained authorization

Applications:

  • REST API access tokens
  • Microservices authentication
  • Rate limiting and throttling
  • Service-to-service communication

Recommended Algorithms:

HS256RS256ES256

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Enable seamless user experience across multiple applications with centralized authentication

Applications:

  • Enterprise identity management
  • Cross-application authentication
  • SAML and OIDC integration
  • Multi-tenant applications

Recommended Algorithms:

RS256ES256PS256

OAuth 2.0 & OpenID Connect

Implement secure authorization flows with industry-standard OAuth and OpenID protocols

Applications:

  • Third-party application access
  • Social media integrations
  • Identity provider integration
  • Consent management

Recommended Algorithms:

RS256ES256

Mobile & Web Applications

Secure mobile and web applications with efficient token-based authentication

Applications:

  • Mobile app authentication
  • Progressive web apps (PWA)
  • Session management
  • Offline token validation

Recommended Algorithms:

HS256ES256

JWT Security Best Practices

Essential security guidelines for implementing JWT tokens in production

Choose Strong Algorithms

Critical

Use RS256, ES256, or PS256 for production systems. Avoid HS256 for public-facing APIs where key distribution is challenging.

Implement Token Expiration

Critical

Always set reasonable expiration times (exp claim) and implement refresh token mechanisms for long-lived sessions.

Validate All Claims

High

Verify issuer (iss), audience (aud), and expiration (exp) claims on every token validation request.

Secure Key Management

Critical

Use proper key rotation, secure key storage (HSM/KMS), and never expose private keys in client-side code.

Implement Rate Limiting

High

Apply rate limiting to token endpoints to prevent brute force attacks and token enumeration.

Use HTTPS Only

Critical

Always transmit JWT tokens over HTTPS to prevent token interception and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Standard JWT Claims Reference

Complete reference for standard JWT claims and their usage

ClaimNameTypeDescriptionRequired
issIssuerstringIdentifies the principal that issued the JWT tokenRequired
subSubjectstringIdentifies the principal that is the subject of the JWTOptional
audAudiencestring | arrayIdentifies the recipients that the JWT is intended forRequired
expExpiration TimenumberIdentifies the expiration time after which the JWT MUST NOT be acceptedRequired
nbfNot BeforenumberIdentifies the time before which the JWT MUST NOT be acceptedOptional
iatIssued AtnumberIdentifies the time at which the JWT was issuedOptional
jtiJWT IDstringProvides a unique identifier for the JWTOptional

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about JWT tokens and authentication

What is a JWT token and how does it work?

JWT (JSON Web Token) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims between two parties. It consists of three Base64URL-encoded parts: header, payload, and signature, separated by dots. JWTs are commonly used for authentication and authorization in web applications and APIs.

Which JWT algorithm should I use for my application?

For production systems, use asymmetric algorithms like RS256, ES256, or PS256. These provide better security for public-facing APIs. Use HS256 only for internal systems where you can securely share the secret key between all parties.

How do I validate JWT token expiration?

Check the 'exp' claim in the JWT payload against the current Unix timestamp. If the current time is greater than the exp value, the token is expired and should be rejected. Always implement proper token refresh mechanisms for long-lived sessions.

Is this JWT tool secure for production tokens?

Our JWT tool processes all tokens locally in your browser without transmitting data to our servers. However, never paste production secrets or sensitive tokens into any online tool. Use this tool for development, testing, and learning purposes only.

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