Dev
URL Encoder / Decoder
Input
Enter plain URL text or encoded string.
Use Encode for plain text, Decode for %XX encoded strings.
Result
Output appears here after encoding or decoding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters into a % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 and & becomes %26. This ensures URLs are interpreted correctly by web servers and browsers.
When do I need to URL encode?
URL encode when passing query parameters that contain special characters, building API requests programmatically, encoding form data for submission, or storing URLs in JSON or CSV files without breaking their format.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a complete URL, preserving characters like /, :, and ? that have structural meaning. encodeURIComponent encodes a single value (like a query parameter), encoding those structural characters too. Always use encodeURIComponent for individual parameter values.