URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs and query parameters.
How to use the URL Encoder/Decoder
URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters. Any special characters — spaces, ampersands, equals signs — must be replaced with percent-encoded equivalents before they can safely travel in a URL. This tool converts both ways instantly.
- 1
Paste your URL or text
Enter the raw URL, query string value, or plain text you want to process in the top textarea. You can paste an entire URL or just the parameter value that needs encoding.
- 2
Click Encode or Decode
"Encode URL" converts special characters to percent-encoded form (e.g. space becomes
%20,&becomes%26). "Decode URL" converts percent-encoded sequences back to readable text. - 3
Copy the output
Click "Copy Output" to copy the encoded or decoded result to your clipboard, ready to paste into your application, browser address bar, or API request.
Frequently asked questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) replaces characters that are not allowed in a URL with a % sign followed by their two-digit hexadecimal code. For example, a space becomes %20 and & becomes %26.
Which characters must be encoded?
Any character outside the unreserved set — letters A–Z, digits 0–9, -, _, ., ~ — must be encoded in URL components. Characters like ?, =, #, /, and + have special URL meanings and must be encoded if used literally as data.
When should I encode a URL?
Encode query string values before appending them to a URL, especially if the value might contain special characters. For example, a search query "hello world" should be encoded as ?q=hello%20world or ?q=hello+world depending on the standard used.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a full URL and leaves structural characters like ?, &, and / intact. encodeURIComponent encodes everything including those structural characters — use it for individual parameter values to ensure they don't break the URL structure.
What are common percent-encoded characters?
Space → %20, + → %2B, # → %23, ? → %3F, = → %3D, & → %26, / → %2F, : → %3A.
Can a URL be accidentally encoded twice?
Yes, and this is a common mistake. If you encode an already-encoded URL, %20 becomes %2520. Always decode first before re-encoding if you are unsure of the current state of your URL string.