URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URLs or query parameters.
Use this free online URL encoder and decoder to safely encode or decode URLs and query parameters. URL encoding replaces unsafe characters with percent-encoded values (like %20 for spaces) to ensure data is transmitted correctly in browsers and APIs. All processing happens locally in your browser, so your data is never uploaded or stored.
About this tool
Encode or Decode URLs
Encode unsafe characters for URLs or decode percent-encoded strings back to readable text instantly.
- Works with full URLs or query strings
- Instant encoding and decoding results
- Browser-only processing
- Handles complex query parameters
Common URL Encoding Scenarios
Encoding is essential when sending special characters in query strings or path segments.
- Encode search queries with spaces and symbols
- Decode UTM parameters from analytics links
- Fix malformed URLs caused by copy-pasting
How to Use URL Encoder / Decoder
Select Operation
Use the toggle to switch between 'Encode' (to %-format) and 'Decode' (to human-readable).
Input URL
Paste your full URL or just the query string specific part. The output updates instantly.
Copy Result
Use the copy button to get the clean string for your application.
Common questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding, also known as percent encoding, converts unsafe or reserved characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. For example, a space is encoded as %20.
What characters get encoded?
Characters that aren't safe for URLs, like spaces, question marks, equals signs, and symbols, are converted to their %XX equivalent.
What is the difference between %20 and + for spaces?
Traditionally, '+' was used for spaces in query strings, while '%20' is used in path segments. Modern standards prefer '%20' everywhere for consistency.
Why does decoding error?
If the string contains invalid percent sequences (such as '%2G'), decoding may fail because the sequence is not valid hexadecimal.
Is `encodeURIComponent` used?
Yes, we use the standard JavaScript functions logic to ensure compatibility with all modern browsers and servers.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is used to encode an entire URL and leaves special characters like : and / intact. encodeURIComponent is used to encode individual query parameters and encodes almost all reserved characters.
Can I encode a whole URL at once?
Be careful encoding a full URL (including 'https://'), as the slashes and colons will also be encoded, breaking the link. Usually, you only want to encode the query parameters.
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