URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode text for safe use in URLs, or decode a percent-encoded string.

The URL Encoder/Decoder converts text into the safe format for use inside a URL (percent-encoding), or decodes an already-encoded string back to the original text.

Your files are processed locally in your browser and are not uploaded.

How to use URL Encoder/Decoder

  1. 1

    Choose encode or decode

  2. 2

    Paste the text

  3. 3

    Copy the result

What percent-encoding is

URLs only accept a limited set of characters. Spaces, accents, symbols like &, ? and # need to be converted into a % sequence followed by two digits (a space becomes %20, for instance) so they aren't mistaken for part of the URL's structure.

When this usually causes trouble

It's common for a search parameter or accented value to break a link because it wasn't encoded — or to show up full of odd %XX symbols because it was decoded unnecessarily. This tool helps diagnose both cases.

When should you use this tool?

  • Developers

    Manually build a URL parameter with spaces or special characters.

  • Debugging

    Understand the actual value behind a URL full of %XX codes.

  • API integration

    Prepare a text value to send as part of a query string.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between this and encodeURI?
This tool uses encodeURIComponent, suitable for encoding individual query parameters or path segments, not full URLs.