How to use a Unicode Converter
Paste text or literal \uXXXX escapes into the input area, then choose the direction you need. The output area appears after conversion, with Copy and Download controls beside it. Reveal Gremlins checks the original input when you need to locate a hidden character.
How to convert Unicode text to \uXXXX
- Enter or paste text or
\uXXXXsequences in the input area. - Select Auto-detect, Text → \uXXXX, or \uXXXX → Text.
- Keep Non-ASCII only checked when ASCII characters should stay unchanged during encoding.
- Read the converted output, then select Copy or Download.
What each Unicode conversion mode changes
Auto-detect looks for a backslash, u, and four hexadecimal digits anywhere in the input. One complete match selects decoding; without a match, the input is encoded. Select Text → \uXXXX or \uXXXX → Text to set the direction yourself.
When Non-ASCII only is checked, characters through U+007F stay as they are. Other characters become uppercase, four-digit UTF-16 units.
Input: Aé
Output: A\u00E9Clear Non-ASCII only to encode ASCII characters too. A supplementary character is written as two UTF-16 units.
Input: 😀
Output: \uD83D\uDE00How to decode Unicode escape sequences
Select \uXXXX → Text to replace each complete four-hexadecimal-digit escape with its UTF-16 code unit.
Input: \u0041\u00E9
Output: AéIncomplete and malformed sequences stay unchanged in decode mode. Auto-detect decodes mixed input when it finds one complete escape, so check the output when literal text and escapes appear together.
Find hidden characters with Reveal Gremlins
Select Reveal Gremlins to open Gremlin analysis for the original input. It reports control characters other than tab, line feed, and carriage return, plus selected format, invisible, and unusual whitespace characters. Each finding includes a code point and a reason.
Reveal Gremlins reports findings and leaves the input unchanged. Use Remove Non-Printable Characters when you need to remove characters instead.
When Unicode Converter is the right choice
A developer inspecting a log can turn \u00E9 into é to read the character, or encode a pasted label before placing it in a string literal. Someone checking a copied snippet can select Reveal Gremlins to locate an unusual whitespace character without altering the source.
Unicode Converter is part of Text Conversion Tools. Use Text Code Converter for decimal, hexadecimal, binary, or octal character codes. Use Punycode Converter for internationalized domain-name labels, and Base64 Encoder / Decoder for Base64 text.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert Unicode text to \uXXXX?
Select Text → \uXXXX. Leave Non-ASCII only checked when ASCII should remain unchanged, then read the result in the output area.
How do I decode \uXXXX escapes?
Select \uXXXX → Text. Each complete four-digit hexadecimal escape becomes its corresponding UTF-16 code unit.
What does Reveal Gremlins find?
Reveal Gremlins finds selected control, format or invisible, and unusual whitespace characters in the input. It lists each code point and reason.
Why does Auto-detect decode my mixed text?
Auto-detect decodes when it sees one complete \u escape with four hexadecimal digits. Select Text → \uXXXX or \uXXXX → Text when you know the direction.