Free URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs instantly. Supports both encodeURIComponent and encodeURI methods for different use cases.
Common Encoded Characters
Encoding Types Explained
Encodes all special characters including : / ? # [ ] @ ! $ ' ( ) * + , ; =. Use for encoding individual URL parameters.
Preserves URL-safe characters like : / ? # @ &. Use for encoding complete URLs while keeping their structure intact.
How to Use the URL Encoder/Decoder
Enter Text to Encode or Decode
Paste or type your text in the input field. For encoding, enter plain text with special characters. For decoding, paste a URL-encoded string containing %XX sequences.
Choose Encoding Method
Select encodeURIComponent for query parameters (encodes everything), or encodeURI for complete URLs (preserves URL structure characters like /, ?, &). Use the right method for your use case.
Click Encode or Decode
Press the Encode button to convert special characters to percent-encoded format, or Decode to convert %XX sequences back to readable characters. Results appear instantly.
Copy the Result
Click the copy button to copy the encoded or decoded text to your clipboard. The result is ready to use in URLs, API requests, or other applications requiring URL-safe strings.
Pro tip: Your data is processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy.
Understanding URL Encoding
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). URLs can only be sent over the Internet using the ASCII character set, so characters outside this set must be converted. URL encoding replaces unsafe characters with a % followed by two hexadecimal digits.
Common Use Cases
- Query Parameters: Safely pass user input in URL parameters
- API Requests: Encode data for GET requests and webhooks
- Shareable Links: Create links with special characters
- Form Submissions: Encode form data for URL-encoded submissions
- Internationalization: Handle non-ASCII characters in URLs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters into a format that can be safely transmitted in a URL. Special characters are replaced with a % followed by their hexadecimal value. For example, a space becomes %20.
Why do URLs need to be encoded?
URLs can only contain ASCII characters. URL encoding converts unsafe characters (spaces, special symbols, non-ASCII characters) into a safe format. Without encoding, these characters could break the URL or be misinterpreted by browsers and servers.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI() encodes a complete URL while preserving characters that have special meaning in URLs (like :, /, ?, #). encodeURIComponent() encodes everything, making it suitable for encoding individual query parameters.
When should I use URL encoding?
Use URL encoding when: passing user input as URL parameters, including special characters in URLs, sending data via GET requests, creating shareable links with dynamic content, or when working with non-ASCII characters like emojis or foreign languages.
Are plus signs and %20 the same?
Both can represent spaces, but they're not identical. %20 is the standard URL encoding for space. The + sign represents space only in query strings (application/x-www-form-urlencoded). For reliability, %20 is preferred.
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