Developer Tools
URL Encoder & Decoder
Use our free URL Encoder/Decoder to encode or decode URL strings instantly. Handle special characters, query parameters, and percent-encoding for web development.
Encode & Decode URLs Instantly
Convert special characters to percent-encoded format for safe use in URLs, or decode percent-encoded strings back to readable text. Runs entirely in your browser.
How to Use
- Enter plain text on the left, click Encode
- Or paste encoded URL on the right, click Decode
- Choose encoding mode based on your use case
- Copy the result with the copy buttons
Common Use Cases
- Query string params
- API request URLs
- Form data encoding
- Decode tracking URLs
- Fix broken links
- Debug redirects
Common URL Encodings
| Character | Encoded | Character | Encoded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space | %20 | & | %26 |
| = | %3D | ? | %3F |
| / | %2F | # | %23 |
| @ | %40 | + | %2B |
FAQ – URL Encoder
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) replaces unsafe characters with a % followed by their hex value, making strings safe for use in URLs.
encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a full URL but preserves :, /, ?, #, &. encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters, digits, and - _ . ~. Use Component for query parameter values.
Why do spaces become %20?
Spaces are not valid in URLs. %20 is the percent-encoded representation. In form data, spaces may also appear as + signs.
Is my data safe?
Yes. All encoding/decoding happens in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server.
Does it handle Unicode?
Yes. Unicode characters are first encoded as UTF-8 bytes, then each byte is percent-encoded (e.g., é becomes %C3%A9).
When should I URL-encode?
Always encode user input in query parameters, form values, and path segments. This prevents broken URLs and injection attacks.