URL Encoder
URL encode and decode strings
About the URL Encoder / Decoder
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters that are not safe in a URL — such as spaces, &, =, and # — into their %XX equivalents. This tool encodes plain text into a URL-safe format and decodes percent-encoded strings back to their original form.
Common uses include encoding query string parameters before appending them to a URL, decoding encoded URLs from logs or redirects, preparing data for form submissions, and debugging HTTP requests. Use encode for input going into a URL; use decode when you receive a percent-encoded value and want to read it.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need to URL-encode something?
Whenever a value goes into a URL but contains characters with special meaning — spaces, ?, #, &, =, /, +, or any non-ASCII letter. Query string values and path segments are the most common cases.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI leaves URL-structural characters (/, ?, #, &) alone — for encoding a whole URL. encodeURIComponent encodes them too — for encoding a single value going into a URL. This tool uses the stricter component encoding.