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Key Features
Everything you need, right at your fingertips. Simple, fast, and built for everyone.
Encode & Decode
Two-way URL percent-encoding for query strings and special characters.
One-Click Copy
Copy encoded or decoded output instantly.
Quick Swap
Toggle between encode and decode modes with one click.
RFC 3986 Compliant
Uses standard JavaScript encodeURIComponent under the hood.
Mobile Friendly
Great for developers debugging APIs on the go.
How to Use This URL Encoder
Getting started is easy. Just follow these simple steps.
Choose Direction
Encode plain text or decode URL-encoded strings.
Enter Your Text
Paste or type into the input field.
See Output
The converted result appears instantly on the right.
Copy & Use
Grab the result for your URL, API call, or form data.
About This URL Encoder / Decoder
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a mechanism for encoding information in a URL under certain circumstances. It is used to represent characters that have special meaning in URLs or that cannot be transmitted safely over the internet.
Characters that are not alphanumeric or part of a small set of safe characters are encoded as %XX where XX is the hexadecimal value of the character. For example, a space becomes %20 (or sometimes + in query strings), and special characters like &, =, and ? are encoded when they appear in data rather than as URL separators.
URL encoding is essential when passing data in URLs, especially for query parameters. If your data contains characters that could be interpreted as URL syntax, encoding them ensures they are treated as data and not as part of the URL structure. This is crucial for web development, API testing, and debugging.
A URL encoder/decoder lets you quickly encode text for safe inclusion in URLs or decode URL-encoded strings back to readable text. It is an essential tool for web developers, API testers, and anyone working with web addresses or HTTP requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent encoding) converts characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Special characters like spaces, &, =, ?, and non-ASCII characters are replaced with % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 or +.
Why is URL encoding needed?
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters (letters, numbers, and a few special characters like - _ . ~). Other characters have special meaning in URLs (like ?, =, &, #) or aren't valid in URLs. Encoding ensures data is transmitted correctly without being misinterpreted.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is meant for encoding a full URL —it leaves characters like / ? : @ & = + # intact. encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters, numbers, and - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ), making it suitable for encoding URL parameters and query string values. Our tool uses encodeURIComponent for maximum compatibility.
What is the difference between encoding and encryption?
Encoding transforms data into another format using a scheme that is publicly available and reversible (like Base64 or URL encoding). Encryption transforms data so that only authorized parties can reverse it with a key. Encoding is for compatibility, encryption is for security.
How does URL encoding work?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits. Spaces become %20 or +, special characters like / become %2F. This ensures URLs only contain safe characters and are transmitted correctly.