URL Encoder & Decoder
Encode or decode URLs using percent-encoding. Helpful for query strings, API calls and debugging.
Input
Output
What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a method of converting special characters in a URL into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Characters like spaces, ampersands, question marks, and non-ASCII characters are replaced with a percent sign followed by their hexadecimal value (e.g., a space becomes %20). This is essential because URLs can only contain a specific set of characters defined by the RFC 3986 standard.
How to Use
- Enter your URL or text string into the input area.
- Click "Encode URL" to percent-encode the text, or "Decode URL" to convert an encoded URL back to readable text.
- The result appears in the output area. Click "Copy output" to copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do special characters need to be encoded in URLs?
Characters like &, =, ?, and # have special meanings in URLs (separating query parameters, marking fragments, etc.). If your data contains these characters, they must be encoded so the browser and server can distinguish between structural URL components and actual data values.
When should I use URL encoding?
You should use URL encoding when building query strings for API calls, embedding user-provided text in URLs, or passing data through GET request parameters. It is also necessary when URLs contain non-English characters or special symbols.
Is this tool safe for sensitive data?
Yes. All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, making it safe to use with sensitive or confidential information.
Related tools
Explore all tools
Count words, characters, lines and paragraphs
UPPERCASE, lowercase, Title Case and more
Format and validate JSON with one click
Encode and decode Base64 online
Percent-encode or decode URLs
Create QR codes for links or text
Generate strong random passwords