KWY

Create a Free Short Link in Seconds

What is a Short Link?

A short link is a compact URL that redirects visitors to a longer destination address. Instead of sharing a 200-character link filled with tracking parameters and directory paths, you share something like kwy.uk/abc123 — clean, readable, and easy to type from memory.

Short links are used everywhere: social media profiles where space is limited, QR codes printed on packaging and flyers, email newsletters where long URLs break across lines, and SMS campaigns where every character counts. You can also use KWY to shorten any URL instantly without creating an account.

How KWY Short Links Work

When you create a short link on KWY, the service generates a unique 6-character code drawn from a 62-character alphabet (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and digits). This gives over 56 billion possible combinations, making collisions extremely unlikely even at high volumes.

When a visitor clicks your short link, KWY looks up the code in its database and immediately issues an HTTP 302 redirect to the original destination. The entire process takes milliseconds. KWY is a free link shortener with no interstitial pages or forced waiting — unless you specifically configure a redirect delay for your deployment.

The Delete Link — Your One-Time Secret

Most free URL shorteners give you no way to remove a link after creation. KWY is different. Every short link comes with a 64-character cryptographically random delete token, shown to you once immediately after creation. Save this link — it is the only way to remove your short URL.

Using the delete link marks the short code as permanently removed. Anyone who visits the deleted short link receives an HTTP 410 Gone response — not a 404, which could suggest the link never existed. This distinction matters for anyone who shared the link and wants recipients to know it was intentionally removed. Learn more on the About KWY page.

Where to Use Short Links

Short links created on KWY work in every context where you can paste a URL:

  • Social media — Twitter/X, Instagram bio, LinkedIn posts, Facebook
  • Messaging apps — WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, iMessage, SMS
  • Email — newsletters, signatures, marketing campaigns
  • Print — business cards, posters, flyers, magazine ads
  • QR codes — short URLs produce smaller, more scannable QR patterns
  • Presentations — slide decks, webinar links, event pages

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a short link?

Paste your long URL into the input box at the top of this page and click Shorten. Your short kwy.uk link is ready in under a second. No registration or email address required.

How long does a short link last?

KWY short links do not expire. They remain active indefinitely unless you delete them using your delete link. There is no time limit or maximum number of clicks.

What if I lose my delete link?

The delete link is shown only once and cannot be recovered. If you lose it, the short link will remain active. For this reason, we strongly recommend saving your delete link in a password manager or secure notes app immediately after creating the short link.

Can I create a short link for any website?

You can create a short link for any publicly reachable http:// or https:// website. Links pointing to private IP ranges, local network addresses, or the kwy.uk domain itself are blocked for security and abuse-prevention reasons.

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