URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode special characters for URLs or decode URL-encoded strings.

Safe URLs always

Examples:
Text to Encode
Result

About This Tool

URL encoding converts special characters into a format that can be transmitted over the Internet. Characters like spaces, &, =, and non-ASCII characters are replaced with % followed by hex values. This tool uses JavaScript's encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent functions.

About

About the URL Encoder/Decoder

The URL Encoder/Decoder converts text and query parameters to and from percent-encoding (also called URL encoding), so special characters like spaces, ampersands, and slashes travel safely inside a URL. Reach for it when you're building a query string, debugging a link that breaks at a certain character, or reading an encoded value like %20 back into plain text. It runs entirely in your browser, so you can paste sensitive URLs without anything being uploaded.

How to use the URL Encoder/Decoder

  1. 1Paste or type the URL, query parameter, or text you want to process into the input field.
  2. 2Choose Encode to convert special characters into percent-encoded form, or Decode to turn percent-encoded text back into readable characters.
  3. 3Read the converted result in the output area.
  4. 4Copy the output and drop it into your code, address bar, API request, or link.
  5. 5If a decode looks wrong, check the input is fully and correctly encoded, then try again.

Common use cases

  • Building query strings for API requests where parameter values contain spaces, symbols, or non-ASCII characters
  • Encoding a redirect URL so it can be passed safely as a single query parameter
  • Decoding a copied link to read what its parameters actually contain
  • Debugging a URL that breaks or routes incorrectly at a specific character
  • Preparing UTM tags and tracking parameters for marketing links

Frequently asked questions

What is URL encoding?

URL encoding, or percent-encoding, replaces characters that aren't safe in a URL with a percent sign followed by their hex value — for example a space becomes %20 and an ampersand becomes %26. It lets you place arbitrary text into a URL or query parameter without breaking the link's structure.

When should I encode a URL versus a query parameter?

Encode individual query parameter values (and keys) so characters like &, =, ?, and spaces inside a value aren't mistaken for URL syntax. Encoding a whole URL is for when you need to pass an entire link as a single value, such as a redirect target, in which case its slashes and colons get encoded too.

Is my data private?

Yes. This tool runs 100% in your browser. The text you encode or decode is never uploaded, sent to a server, stored, or tracked, so it's safe to use with internal links, tokens in query strings, and other sensitive values.

Why does my decoded text show strange characters?

That usually means the input wasn't valid percent-encoding, or it was encoded with a different character set. Make sure the input is complete and correctly encoded (each % is followed by two hex digits), then decode again.

Is it free to use?

Yes, the URL Encoder/Decoder is completely free to use with no sign-up, and there are no usage limits since all the work happens locally in your browser.

Your data never leaves your browser • No cookies • Works offline after your first visit

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