Overview
What this tool does
A URL shortener turns a long web address into a short one that's easier to share, paste in a tweet, print on a flyer, or read aloud. This tool uses is.gd, a free, ad-free URL shortener that has been running since 2008. No account, no signup, no API key needed. Optional custom alias lets you pick the short URL's tail (first-come-first-served). The history panel keeps a local record of every URL you've shortened on this device, so you can find one you made earlier without re-pasting the long URL. Aside from the single shorten call to is.gd, everything runs in your browser; no signup, no daily limit on our end.
How to
Use it in 3 steps
- Paste the long URL into the input. The 'https://' prefix is added automatically if you forget.
- Optionally pick a custom alias (5-30 letters/digits/underscores). The full short URL will be is.gd/your-alias.
- Click 'Shorten'. Within a second you get back the short URL with copy + open buttons.
- Earlier short URLs are kept in a local history list. Use the X to remove individual entries, or 'Clear history' to wipe it (the short URLs stay live on is.gd).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
▶Is is.gd a paid service?
No. is.gd is free and has been running since 2008. There's no account requirement for basic shortening, no daily limit on us-the-tool's side, and they don't gate features behind a Pro tier.
▶Where does my URL go?
To is.gd's anonymous shorten endpoint. Don't shorten URLs that contain private session IDs, one-time login tokens, or anything sensitive in the query string. The shortened URL is publicly visible to anyone who clicks it.
▶Can I delete a short URL after I create it?
Not anonymously. is.gd lets account holders manage their own short URLs but anonymous (no-login) shorteners cannot be deleted. Treat the short URL as permanent once created.
▶Will the short URLs stay alive forever?
is.gd has a strong track record (live since 2008). Like any free service, it could disappear someday; if you need permanent guaranteed links, run your own shortener on infrastructure you control.
▶Why was my custom alias rejected?
Aliases are first-come-first-served, so if someone else already used the alias you wanted, you'll get a duplicate-error from is.gd. Try a longer or more unique alias. Aliases must also be 5-30 characters and use only letters, digits, and underscores.
▶Why does the history say 'on this device'?
Because the history is stored in your browser's local storage, not on any server. Other devices (or a different browser on the same computer) won't see it. Clearing your browser data deletes it too.