URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs with special character handling
Text to Encode
Input Text
Encoded Result
Encoded URL will appear here
Common Examples
URL with spaces
Original:
Encoded:
Special characters
Original:
Encoded:
Unicode characters
Original:
Encoded:
Email address
Original:
Encoded:
About URL Encoding
What is URL Encoding?
- • URL encoding converts special characters to percent-encoded format (%XX)
- • Spaces become %20, @ becomes %40, + becomes %2B
- • Required for safely passing data in URLs and form submissions
- • Also known as percent-encoding or application/x-www-form-urlencoded
- • Click on examples above to try them instantly
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Try Now Email Server Configuration TesterWhat is URL Encoder/Decoder?
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a crucial mechanism for handling special characters in web URLs and form data. Our URL Encoder/Decoder provides a reliable way to encode and decode URLs, ensuring that special characters, spaces, and international characters are properly formatted for web transmission. This tool converts characters that have special meaning in URLs (like spaces, ampersands, and Unicode characters) into a percent-encoded format that browsers and servers can safely process. Whether you're working with query parameters, form submissions, API endpoints, or internationalized domain names, proper URL encoding ensures your web applications function correctly across all browsers and servers. The tool handles both component-level encoding (for individual parameters) and full URL encoding (for entire addresses), making it essential for web developers, API integrators, and anyone working with dynamic web content.
When to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
Use our URL Encoder whenever you're working with URLs that contain special characters, spaces, or non-ASCII characters. This tool is essential when building query strings for API calls, encoding form data for POST requests, or handling user-generated content that will be included in URLs. Web developers commonly use it when constructing search URLs, pagination links, or any dynamic URLs that include user input or special characters. It's particularly valuable when working with internationalized applications that need to handle non-English characters in URLs, debugging URL-related issues in web applications, or preparing URLs for social media sharing where special characters might break links. The decoder is equally useful for analyzing encoded URLs from server logs, debugging API responses, or understanding how external services are encoding URLs they send to your application.
How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
7 stepsChoose whether you want to encode (readable to URL-safe) or decode (URL-encoded to readable)
For encoding: paste the URL or text containing special characters
For decoding: paste the percent-encoded URL string
Select encoding type: component (for parameters) or full URL (for entire addresses)
The tool instantly processes your input and shows the result
Copy the encoded/decoded result to your clipboard
Use the result in your web applications, APIs, or browser address bar
Privacy & Security
100% SecureAll URL encoding and decoding happens entirely within your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Your URLs and data are never transmitted to our servers or stored anywhere outside your device. This ensures complete privacy for sensitive URLs, API endpoints, or any data you need to encode. The tool works offline once loaded, providing maximum security for confidential URL processing.
Pro Tips
7 tipsEncode query parameter values but not the URL structure itself (?, &, =)
Use component encoding for individual parameters, full URL encoding when passing URLs as parameters
Remember that some characters like + can mean 'space' in query strings, so context matters
Always encode user input before including it in URLs to prevent injection attacks
Test encoded URLs in browsers to ensure they work as expected
Be aware that double-encoding can cause issues - decode first if unsure
Use URL encoding for form data when using application/x-www-form-urlencoded content type
Frequently Asked Questions
5 Q&AQ1:What is URL encoding and why is it necessary?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters in URLs to a format that can be transmitted over the Internet. It's necessary because URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters, and special characters like spaces, ampersands, or non-English characters must be encoded to prevent breaking the URL structure.
Q2:Which characters need to be URL encoded?
Characters that need encoding include spaces (becomes %20), ampersands (&), question marks (?), hash symbols (#), plus signs (+), and any non-ASCII characters like accented letters or Unicode symbols. Reserved characters used in URL syntax must also be encoded when used as data.
Q3:What's the difference between URL encoding and Base64 encoding?
URL encoding is specifically designed for URLs and converts individual characters to percent-encoded format (%20 for space). Base64 encoding converts entire strings or binary data to a different character set. URL encoding preserves URL readability while Base64 creates completely different strings.
Q4:Can I encode entire URLs or just query parameters?
You can encode both! For query parameters and form data, encode the values but not the URL structure. For entire URLs (like when passing a URL as a parameter), encode the whole URL. Our tool handles both scenarios automatically.
Q5:Is URL encoding reversible?
Yes, URL encoding is completely reversible. Every encoded character can be decoded back to its original form without any data loss. This makes it perfect for safely transmitting special characters through URLs while maintaining data integrity.
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