URL Encode & Decode

Encode and decode URL components.

Mode

What is URL Encoding?

URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is the mechanism for representing special characters in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) by replacing them with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 and an ampersand becomes %26. This is essential because URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters; anything outside that set (including Unicode characters, query parameter delimiters, and reserved symbols) must be encoded to ensure the URL is interpreted correctly by browsers and servers. Our free online URL encoder and decoder uses the browser's native encodeURIComponent() and decodeURIComponent() functions, processing everything locally on your device. No data is transmitted to any server, making it safe for encoding URLs that contain sensitive query parameters, tokens, or authentication details.

When to Use URL Encode & Decode

URL encoding is a routine part of web development and API integration. Common situations include:

  • Building query strings with dynamic values that may contain spaces, ampersands, or other reserved characters
  • Debugging encoded URLs from server logs or analytics platforms to reveal the original human-readable text
  • Constructing redirect URLs or callback URLs where parameters must be double-encoded
  • Encoding file names or path segments that contain Unicode characters or special symbols
  • Preparing mailto links, calendar links, or share URLs with pre-filled text content
  • Inspecting and decoding tracking parameters from marketing URLs or affiliate links

How It Works

Paste your text or URL into the input field and select encode or decode. When encoding, every character outside the unreserved set (letters, digits, hyphens, underscores, periods, and tildes) is converted to its percent-encoded equivalent. When decoding, each percent-encoded sequence is translated back to its original character. The conversion happens instantly in your browser with real-time output as you type. There is no server communication, no data collection, and no sign-up required. Simply open the tool and start converting.