URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode or decode URL components for safe use in web addresses
What is URL Encoder/Decoder?
URL Encoder/Decoder is a free online tool that encodes text for safe use in URLs and decodes percent-encoded URL strings back to readable text. URLs can only contain specific ASCII characters, so special characters, spaces, and non-ASCII characters like Korean or Chinese must be percent-encoded. This tool uses the encodeURIComponent standard for maximum encoding safety, converting characters to their %XX hexadecimal representation. It is essential for web developers building dynamic URLs, query parameters, and API requests. The tool also decodes encoded URLs, making it easy to read percent-encoded strings. All processing happens in your browser with no server interaction.
How to Use
- Enter a URL or text in the input area.
- Click 'Encode' to percent-encode special characters.
- Click 'Decode' to restore the original URL from encoded text.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always encode query parameter values when constructing URLs programmatically.
- Use this tool to debug encoded URLs by decoding them to see the original values.
- Remember that spaces can be encoded as %20 (standard) or + (form encoding) depending on context.
- Encode file names before using them in download URLs to handle special characters correctly.
- Double-check that you are not double-encoding already encoded URLs.
Use Cases
Web Development
Encode query parameters and path segments for building safe, valid URLs.
API Integration
Properly encode request parameters for REST API calls.
Debugging
Decode complex encoded URLs to understand what values are being passed.
Link Sharing
Encode URLs containing special characters or non-English text for reliable sharing.
FAQ
Why do URLs need encoding?
URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters. Special characters, spaces, and non-ASCII characters must be percent-encoded to be safely included in a URL.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURIComponent encodes all special characters including :, /, and ?, while encodeURI preserves these URL-structural characters. This tool uses encodeURIComponent for maximum encoding.
What is URL encoding (percent encoding)?
URL encoding converts characters that are not allowed in URLs (spaces, non-ASCII characters, etc.) into %XX hexadecimal format.
Is my data sent to any server?
No, all encoding and decoding is processed locally using the browser's built-in functions.
When is URL encoding typically needed?
It is commonly needed when including special characters or non-ASCII text in API query parameters, or when submitting form data via GET requests.
Is my data collected?
No, all processing happens in your browser. No text is sent to any server.
What characters need URL encoding?
Spaces, non-ASCII characters, and reserved characters like &, =, ?, #, and / need encoding when used as data.
What is the difference between %20 and +?
%20 is the standard URL encoding for spaces. The + symbol represents spaces only in form data (application/x-www-form-urlencoded).
Can I encode entire URLs?
This tool uses encodeURIComponent which encodes everything. For encoding full URLs while preserving structure, encode only the parameter values.
Does it handle Unicode characters?
Yes, all Unicode characters including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and emoji are properly encoded to their UTF-8 percent-encoded form.
What is double encoding?
Double encoding happens when an already encoded string is encoded again (%25 instead of %). Always decode first if you are unsure whether text is already encoded.