URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URLs online. Convert special characters to percent-encoded format and back. Parse query strings. Free tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?▾
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts special characters in a URL into a format that can be transmitted safely over the internet. Characters like spaces, &, =, and # are converted to percent-encoded sequences like %20, %26, %3D, and %23.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?▾
encodeURI encodes a complete URL and preserves characters like :, /, ?, &, =. encodeURIComponent encodes a URL component (like a query parameter value) and encodes those characters too. Use encodeURIComponent for individual values within a URL.
Why does a space become %20 or +?▾
Spaces can be encoded as %20 (RFC 3986 standard, used in path segments) or + (HTML form encoding, used in query strings). Both are valid but used in different contexts. This tool uses %20 by default.
How do I decode a URL-encoded string?▾
Paste the encoded string (containing % sequences like %20, %3D) into the input field, select Decode mode, and click Decode. The tool converts all percent-encoded sequences back to their original characters.