URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URL strings for web development. Handle special characters, query parameters, and ensure proper URL formatting.
How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
URL Encoding
Paste text or URLs with special characters and click "Encode". Spaces become %20, & becomes %26, and other special characters get encoded for safe URL transmission.
URL Decoding
Enter encoded URLs (with %20, %26, etc.) and click "Decode" to convert them back to readable text with original special characters restored.
Copy & Use
The encoded/decoded result appears in the output field. Copy it for use in web forms, APIs, or anywhere URL-safe text is required.
What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent encoding) converts special characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. URLs can only contain certain characters from the ASCII set.
When you include special characters like spaces, ampersands, or non-English characters in URLs, they must be encoded to prevent errors and ensure proper transmission.
Common Encodings
- Space → %20
- & → %26
- # → %23
- ? → %3F
- = → %3D
- + → %2B
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need URL encoding?
Use URL encoding when passing data through URLs, especially for search queries, form parameters, or any text containing spaces, special characters, or non-English characters. It's essential for GET requests and query strings.
What characters need to be encoded?
Reserved characters like space, &, #, ?, =, +, %, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded. Safe characters include letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and some symbols like -, _, ., and ~.
Is there a difference between encoding and escaping?
URL encoding and URL escaping are often used interchangeably, but technically encoding converts characters to percent notation (%20), while escaping can refer to various methods of handling special characters in different contexts.
Can I encode entire URLs or just parameters?
You can encode both, but be careful with full URLs. Usually, you encode only the parameter values, not the entire URL structure. Encoding "https://" would break the URL format.
Do modern browsers handle encoding automatically?
Modern browsers automatically encode URLs when you type them in the address bar, but when building applications or APIs, you often need manual control over encoding for form data, AJAX requests, and URL construction.
Common URL encoding use cases
URL encoding is essential for:
- Search query parameters (q=hello%20world)
- Form data submission via GET requests
- API endpoint parameters with special characters
- Email addresses in mailto links
- File names with spaces in download links
- Social media sharing URLs with text
- Tracking parameters with special characters