URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URLs for safe transmission and proper formatting
About URL Encoding
URL Encoding (Percent Encoding)
Converts special characters to percent-encoded format (%XX) for safe transmission in URLs. Required for characters that have special meanings in URLs.
Common Encodings
- β’ Space β %20
- β’ @ β %40
- β’ # β %23
- β’ ? β %3F
- β’ & β %26
When to Use
- β’ Query parameters in URLs
- β’ Form data submission
- β’ API endpoint parameters
- β’ Email addresses in URLs
- β’ Special characters in paths
Safe Characters
A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and these symbols: - _ . ~ don't need encoding in most contexts.
Ready to encode or decode URLs
Enter your text or URL above to get started with URL encoding or decoding.
How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
Choose Mode
Select "Encode" to convert text to URL-safe format, or "Decode" to convert back to readable text.
Enter Text or URL
Paste your text, URL, or encoded string in the input area. Use quick examples for testing.
Copy Result
The conversion happens instantly. Copy the result or download it for use in your projects.
URL Encoding Features
Comprehensive URL encoding and decoding capabilities for web development
Percent Encoding
- β’ RFC 3986 compliant encoding
- β’ Special character conversion
- β’ Unicode character support
- β’ Proper UTF-8 handling
Bidirectional
- β’ Encode text to URL format
- β’ Decode URLs back to text
- β’ Swap input/output easily
- β’ Real-time conversion
Web Standards
- β’ Query parameter encoding
- β’ Form data URL encoding
- β’ Path component encoding
- β’ Fragment identifier encoding
Safety & Security
- β’ Prevent URL injection
- β’ Safe character transmission
- β’ Cross-platform compatibility
- β’ Browser-safe encoding
Common Use Cases
Web Development
Encode query parameters, form data, and URL components for proper HTTP requests and API calls.
API Integration
Properly encode parameters when making REST API calls or webhook requests with special characters.
Data Transmission
Safely transmit data containing special characters through URL parameters without breaking the request.
Form Processing
Handle form submissions with special characters in field values for proper server-side processing.
Link Generation
Create shareable links with encoded parameters for social media, email campaigns, and bookmarks.
Debugging
Decode URLs from logs, error messages, or network traffic to understand the original data.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use URL encoding?
Use URL encoding when your data contains special characters like spaces, ampersands, question marks, or non-ASCII characters that need to be transmitted safely in URLs.
What's the difference between URL encoding and HTML encoding?
URL encoding uses percent notation (%20 for space) for safe URL transmission, while HTML encoding uses entity names (& for &) for safe HTML display.
Are there characters that don't need encoding?
Yes, unreserved characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, -, _, ., ~) typically don't need encoding in most URL contexts, but reserved characters (!, *, ', (, ), ;, :, @, &, =, +, $, ,, /, ?, #, [, ]) usually do.
Can I encode entire URLs?
You typically encode only specific parts (like query parameter values) rather than entire URLs. Encoding the entire URL would make it invalid.
Encoding Features
Today's Stats
Developer Tips
Query Parameters: Always encode parameter values, but not the parameter names or URL structure.
Form Data: Most web frameworks handle encoding automatically, but manual encoding may be needed for custom implementations.
Testing: Use this tool to test how your URLs will appear when transmitted and received by different systems.