CyberChef
GCHQ's public knife for decoding and decrypting data, built by dragging operations into a pipeline.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
CyberChef sits in Mysteries & Riddles under Learn, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- Use a laptop or desktop computer — we file it as desktop only.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something useful, brainy and clever.
About this category: Logic mysteries, cipher tools, unsolved cases and ARG-shaped sites that never quite explain themselves. Deduction as entertainment.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Getting something practical done
- Giving your brain a workout
- Being impressed by a clever idea
- A quiet break at your desk
- Trying it with zero commitment
CyberChef: quick answers
Is CyberChef free?
Yes. CyberChef is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use CyberChef?
No. You can use CyberChef without signing up for anything.
Does CyberChef work on a phone?
Not well. We file CyberChef as desktop only, so open it on a laptop or desktop computer.
Is CyberChef safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does CyberChef take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
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