URL Encoder/Decoder
Professional URL encoder/decoder tool for percent encoding. Convert URLs, query parameters, and text safely. Supports UTF-8, with examples.
Loading tool...
What is URL Encoder/Decoder?
URL Encoder/Decoder converts special characters to percent-encoded format for safe use in URLs and web addresses. Spaces become %20, ampersands become %26, and other special characters are escaped. Essential for building query strings and handling user input in URLs.
Key Benefits
- Encode any special characters
- Decode percent-encoded URLs
- UTF-8 support
- Instant conversion
Common Use Cases
- •Query string building
- •API parameter encoding
- •Link generation
- •Form data handling
How to URL Encode Text
- Enter text or URL: Paste text containing special characters (spaces, &, =, ?, etc.) that need to be URL-safe encoded.
- Click Encode: Click the "Encode" button to convert special characters to percent-encoded format (e.g., space becomes %20).
- View encoded result: The encoded output is safe to use in URLs, query parameters, or form data. Special characters are now properly escaped.
- Decode if needed: To reverse the process, paste encoded text and click "Decode" to convert %20 back to spaces and restore special characters.
Key Features
- Encode special characters for URLs
- Decode percent-encoded strings
- Handle UTF-8 characters correctly
- Component-level encoding
- Full URL encoding support
- Instant encode/decode toggle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters to a format safe for URLs. Spaces become %20, & becomes %26, and non-ASCII characters are encoded. This ensures URLs work correctly in browsers and servers.
When should I URL encode text?
Encode text when including it in query strings, path segments, or form data. Any text with spaces, special characters, or non-English characters should be encoded to prevent URL parsing errors.
Is URL encoding the same as Base64?
No, they serve different purposes. URL encoding makes text safe for URLs by escaping special characters. Base64 is for encoding binary data as text. Use URL encoding for URLs, Base64 for data embedding.
Can I decode an encoded URL?
Yes, switch to decode mode to convert %20 back to spaces, %26 back to &, and other encoded characters back to their original form. This is useful for reading encoded URLs.
In-depth guide
The Complete Guide to URL Encoding & Decoding
Read the full guide →
In-depth guide
URL Encoding Guide: Safe Characters and Special Cases
Read the full guide →