URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode or decode URLs and text for web use.
About URL Encoding
URL encoding converts special characters into a format that can be transmitted over the Internet. It replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a '%' followed by two hexadecimal digits.
What Is This Tool?
Our URL encoder and decoder converts special characters in URLs to their percent-encoded equivalents (e.g., spaces become %20) and decodes them back. This ensures URLs are valid and safe to transmit over the internet. It's an essential tool for developers working with query strings, API parameters, and web links.
How to Use
- Select Encode or Decode mode.
- Paste or type your URL or query string into the input field.
- The result appears instantly.
- Click Copy to copy the encoded or decoded URL.
Common Use Cases
- Encoding a URL with special characters before embedding it in an HTML attribute
- Decoding a percent-encoded URL from a log file or API response
- Preparing query parameters that contain spaces or non-ASCII characters
- Debugging URL parsing issues in web applications
Tips & Tricks
- Encode only the query parameter values, not the entire URL including slashes and domain.
- Spaces can be encoded as %20 (standard) or + (form data) — this tool uses the standard %20.
- Decode received URLs first to read them clearly before modifying them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I encode the whole URL including https:// and slashes?
Encoding characters like : and / turns a working URL into a broken one, since those characters have structural meaning. Encode only the parts that contain user data, such as query parameter values.
Why does a space become %20 instead of a plus sign?
%20 is the standard percent-encoding for a space in a URL path or component. The + character is a legacy convention specific to form-encoded query strings (application/x-www-form-urlencoded), which this tool doesn't use by default.
What characters actually need to be encoded in a URL?
Reserved and non-ASCII characters — spaces, &, ?, #, %, and letters outside the basic ASCII set — need encoding. Letters, digits, and a small set of characters like - _ . ~ are safe unencoded.
Can I decode a URL that has already been encoded multiple times?
Run Decode repeatedly if a URL was double-encoded — each pass reverses one layer of percent-encoding until you reach the original readable text.
Is the URL I enter sent to a server for processing?
No. Encoding and decoding both use your browser's built-in JavaScript functions locally — the URL never leaves your device.
Free online URL encoder and decoder. Encode URLs for safe transmission and decode encoded URLs instantly. Perfect for developers and web professionals.
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