Uuencode Decoder
Decode legacy uuencoded data back to its original form. Extract filenames, file modes, and download decoded files — all in your browser.
Last Updated: August 2026
100% Client-Side — Your data never leaves your device
Paste uuencoded data to decode it back to its original form
Frequently Asked Questions
Search below or browse through our most commonly asked questions.
Uuencode (Unix-to-Unix encoding) was a popular way to encode binary files as text for email attachments and Usenet posts before MIME and Base64 became the standard. You might encounter uuencoded data when dealing with very old email archives, legacy Unix systems, or historical Usenet archives.
Uuencode uses a different encoding alphabet and includes a header with the original filename and file permissions. Base64 is more efficient and standardized, which is why it replaced uuencode. But the core idea is the same: represent binary data using printable ASCII characters.
Yes. Uuencode files include the original filename and Unix file mode in their header. Our decoder extracts this metadata and suggests it as the download filename, so you don't have to guess what the file was originally called.
Uuencode can encode any binary file — images, documents, archives, executables, anything. The decoder doesn't care about file type; it simply decodes the binary data and lets you download it. The original filename (including extension) is preserved from the uuencode header.