URL Encoder & Decoder

Convert text to URL-encoded format or decode URL-encoded strings back to their original form.

URL Encoder/Decoder

Easily encode or decode URLs and strings. Paste your string into the input box and click "Encode" or "Decode".

URL Component: Encodes all characters that need encoding in URL parameters.
Full URL: Preserves valid URL characters like / ? : @ & = + $ , #
Encode Everything: Forces encoding of all special characters.
URL Component: Standard URL parameter decoding.
Full URL: Less aggressive decoding for full URLs.
Also convert +: For application/x-www-form-urlencoded where + means space.
Common URL Encoding Reference

Below are common characters that need URL encoding and their encoded values:

Character URL Encoded Description
Space %20 Space character
! %21 Exclamation mark
" %22 Double quote
# %23 Number sign
$ %24 Dollar sign
% %25 Percent sign
& %26 Ampersand
' %27 Single quote
( %28 Opening parenthesis
) %29 Closing parenthesis
+ %2B Plus sign
, %2C Comma
/ %2F Forward slash
: %3A Colon
; %3B Semicolon
= %3D Equals sign
? %3F Question mark
@ %40 At sign
[ %5B Opening bracket
] %5D Closing bracket

About URL Encoder & Decoder

What does this tool do?

Our URL Encoder & Decoder converts special characters, spaces, and Unicode text into URL-safe format (percent encoding) and decodes URL-encoded strings back to their original form. It supports different encoding types including component-level, full URL, and form data encoding standards.

Why is this useful?

URL encoding ensures that special characters are safely transmitted through web browsers, APIs, and form submissions without breaking URL structure or causing interpretation errors. It's essential for web development, API integration, and data transmission across different systems.

Who uses this tool?

  • Web developers - Encode form data and URL parameters safely
  • API developers - Ensure special characters in API requests are properly encoded
  • Database administrators - Handle URL data in database queries and storage
  • SEO specialists - Work with URL structures and international characters
  • System administrators - Debug URL-related issues and configurations

How to encode and decode URLs

  1. Choose the appropriate encoding/decoding type for your use case
  2. For encoding: Paste text with special characters or spaces
  3. For decoding: Enter URL-encoded text (containing %20, %3F, etc.)
  4. Select the encoding method: Component, Full URL, or custom options
  5. Copy the result for use in your applications or URLs
  6. Use the reference table to understand common character mappings

Example

Encoding "Hello World!" becomes "Hello%20World%21" where %20 represents a space and %21 represents an exclamation mark. This ensures the text can be safely used in URLs and form submissions.

Understanding URL encoding types

URL Component (encodeURIComponent)
Encodes all characters that have special meaning in URLs, perfect for query parameters and form data.
Full URL (encodeURI)
Preserves URL structure characters like :, /, ?, # while encoding unsafe characters. Used for complete URLs.
Percent Encoding
Replaces unsafe characters with % followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character's ASCII value.
Plus Encoding
Application/x-www-form-urlencoded format where spaces are encoded as + instead of %20.
Unicode Support
Properly handles international characters by encoding them in UTF-8 format.

Safe characters (never encoded)

  • Alphanumeric: A-Z, a-z, 0-9
  • Unreserved: - _ . ~ (hyphen, underscore, period, tilde)
  • Reserved (in context): : / ? # [ ] @ (when used in proper URL structure)

Characters requiring encoding

  • Spaces: Must be encoded as %20 or + (in forms)
  • Special characters: !, ", #, $, %, &, ', (, ), *, +, ,, =, ?, @, [, ], {, }
  • Unicode characters: Any non-ASCII characters (é, ñ, 你好, etc.)
  • Control characters: Newlines, tabs, and other control sequences

Important considerations

  • Different encoding types serve different purposes - choose the right one for your context
  • Some characters like + have different meanings in different URL contexts
  • Always encode user input before including it in URLs or form submissions
  • Double-encoding can occur - be careful not to encode already encoded strings

Common use cases

Form Data Submission

Encode form field values containing special characters before submitting via GET requests or URL parameters.

API Request Parameters

Safely include search terms, user input, or data containing special characters in API request URLs.

International Content

Handle URLs containing non-English characters, ensuring proper encoding for global web applications.

Debugging & Analysis

Decode URL-encoded strings from logs, analytics, or error reports to understand original user input or data.

JavaScript functions

The tool uses browser-native functions: encodeURIComponent() for parameters, encodeURI() for full URLs, and decodeURIComponent()/decodeURI() for decoding. Each serves specific purposes in web development.

Common encoding patterns

Space → %20, & → %26, = → %3D, ? → %3F, # → %23. The reference table shows all common character mappings for quick lookup during development and debugging.

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