URL Encoder / Decoder
Safely encode or decode URLs and query parameters using percent-encoding.
About URL Encoding
URL encoding converts characters into a format that can be transmitted over the Internet using percent-encoding. It is commonly used for query parameters and path segments. All processing happens in your browser.
About this URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs using percent-encoding (URL encoding) to handle special characters safely. URL encoding converts special characters into a format that can be transmitted over the internet, ensuring URLs are valid and functional. Essential for web developers, API developers, and anyone working with URLs that contain special characters, spaces, or non-ASCII characters.
Key Features
Encode URLs to percent-encoded format (e.g., %20 for space)
Decode percent-encoded URLs back to readable format
Handle special characters, spaces, and Unicode characters
Encode/decode entire URLs or just specific parts
Real-time encoding and decoding as you type
Copy encoded or decoded URLs to clipboard
Support for all URL-safe and unsafe characters
Works entirely in your browser for privacy
How to Use
Enter or paste the URL or text you want to encode or decode
Click 'Encode' to convert special characters to percent-encoded format
Click 'Decode' to convert percent-encoded text back to readable format
View the result in the output field
Use the copy button to copy the encoded or decoded URL
Switch between encode and decode modes as needed
Popular Use Cases
Encode URLs with special characters for web applications
Decode URLs received from APIs or web services
Handle URLs with spaces, ampersands, and other special characters
Encode query parameters in URLs for proper transmission
Decode URLs from email links or shared content
Prepare URLs for use in HTML attributes and JavaScript
Encode file paths and filenames in URLs
Handle international characters (Unicode) in URLs
Tips & Best Practices
Always encode URLs before using them in web applications
Spaces in URLs should be encoded as %20 or +
Special characters like &, =, ?, # have specific meanings in URLs
Only encode the parts of URLs that need encoding (usually query parameters)
Decode URLs when displaying them to users for readability
Use URL encoding for API requests to ensure proper transmission
Be careful not to double-encode URLs (encoding already encoded URLs)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters into a format using % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20.
When should I encode a URL?
Encode URLs when they contain special characters, spaces, or non-ASCII characters. This is especially important for query parameters and file paths.
What's the difference between encoding and decoding?
Encoding converts readable text to percent-encoded format (e.g., 'hello world' → 'hello%20world'). Decoding reverses this process.
Can I encode the entire URL?
You can encode entire URLs, but typically only specific parts (like query parameters) need encoding. The protocol (http://) and domain usually don't need encoding.