UUID Decoder

What is a UUID?

A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit number used to uniquely identify information in computer systems. They're commonly used in databases, distributed systems, and APIs. UUIDs can come in different versions (v1, v3, v4, v5), each with its own method of generation.

Example UUID: f47ac10b-58cc-4372-a567-0e02b2c3d479

How to Use the UUID Decoder?

Follow these easy steps to decode your UUID:

• Enter UUID: Paste your UUID into the input box at the top.
• Click "Decode UUID": Hit the black Decode UUID button to process the input
• View the Results: The decoded UUID information will appear instantly in the Output section below.
• Clear the Input: Want to try another UUID? Just click the Clear button to reset everything.

Common Use Cases for UUID Decoder

• Debugging & Troubleshooting: Developers use UUID decoders to inspect how a UUID was generated, helping debug systems that rely on UUID v1 by extracting embedded timestamps or MAC addresses.
• Timestamp Extraction (UUID v1): Decode UUID v1 to retrieve the embedded timestamp, useful for logging, tracing, or analyzing event timelines.
• Learning & Educational Use: Ideal for understanding the structure of different UUID versions, especially for students, developers, and testers learning UUID mechanics.
• Verifying UUID Format: Validate UUIDs by checking their format, version, and variant bits for compliance with standards like RFC 4122.
• Reverse Engineering or Forensics: Security researchers decode UUIDs to trace data origins or uncover system-level details (e.g., MAC addresses) during investigations.
• Parsing UUIDs in APIs or Databases: Extract insights from UUIDs in APIs, logs, or databases, particularly in distributed systems where UUIDs act as unique identifiers.

UUID Version (“M”) Conversion Table

UUID Variant ("N") Conversion Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a UUID?

A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit number used to uniquely identify data in computer systems. It’s commonly used in databases, APIs, and distributed systems.

What versions of UUIDs can this UUID checker decode?

This tool supports decoding of:

• UUID v1 (time-based)
• UUID v3 (name-based, MD5)
• UUID v4 (random)
• UUID v5 (name-based, SHA-1)
• UUID v6 (reordered time-based)
• UUID v7 (Unix timestamp-based)

While v4 is random and contains no embedded metadata, v1 and v6 include timestamps and MAC address information.

UUID v7 is based on Unix time and is optimized for sorting and high-throughput systems.

Can this tool extract the timestamp from UUIDs?

Yes! If your UUID is version 1, the tool can extract and display the embedded timestamp and MAC address used during generation.

Is it safe to use this UUID Converter?

Absolutely. This tool runs entirely in your browser. No UUID data is sent or stored on any server, ensuring full privacy and security.

What happens if I enter an invalid UUID?

If the input is not in a valid UUID format, the tool will alert you with an error.

Why does UUID v4 show no timestamp or MAC address?

UUID v4 is randomly generated and contains no meaningful metadata like time or hardware info. That's why decoding v4 only shows version, variant, and raw bits.