URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URLs online for free. Percent-encode special characters for safe use in URLs and query strings.
About this tool
URL encoding (percent-encoding) replaces unsafe ASCII characters in URLs with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits. This is essential for passing special characters like spaces, ampersands, and slashes in URLs and query parameters without breaking the URL structure. Our free URL Encoder/Decoder handles both encoding and decoding instantly, supporting full URL encoding and query parameter encoding.
How to use URL Encoder
- 1Enter your URL or text: Paste the URL or text string you want to encode or decode.
- 2Select mode: Choose "Encode" to convert to percent-encoding, or "Decode" to convert back to plain text.
- 3Copy the result: Click Copy to copy the encoded or decoded output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding replaces special characters with a percent sign followed by two hex digits, making the characters safe to include in URLs.
What characters need to be URL encoded?
Characters like spaces, &, =, +, ?, #, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded in URLs.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a full URL while preserving URL structure characters. encodeURIComponent encodes everything including URL structural characters, making it suitable for query parameter values.