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URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode or decode URLs and query parameters.

Input

About URL Encoder/Decoder

Free URL encoder and decoder that converts special characters in URLs to percent-encoded format or decodes percent-encoded strings back to readable text. Handles query parameters, Unicode characters, spaces, and reserved URL characters. Essential for web developers debugging API requests, constructing query strings, and fixing broken URLs that contain special characters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do URLs need to be encoded?▾

URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters. Special characters like spaces, ampersands, and non-Latin characters must be percent-encoded (e.g., space becomes %20) to be safely transmitted in URLs without breaking the address.

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?▾

encodeURI encodes a full URL but preserves characters like :, /, and ? that are part of URL structure. encodeURIComponent encodes everything including those characters, making it suitable for encoding individual query parameter values.

What does %20 mean in a URL?▾

%20 is the percent-encoded representation of a space character. When you see %20 in a URL, it represents a space that has been encoded to be URL-safe. Other common encodings include %26 for & (ampersand), %3D for = (equals), and %3F for ? (question mark).

When should I use URL encoding?▾

Use URL encoding whenever you include user input or special characters in URLs, such as search queries, form data, API parameters, or file names with spaces. Most programming languages have built-in URL encoding functions, but this tool is useful for quick encoding and debugging.

Is this URL encoder free and private?▾

Yes, completely free with no signup. All encoding and decoding happens in your browser - your URLs and data are never sent to any server, making it safe for encoding sensitive API endpoints or authentication parameters.