Online URL Encoder and Decoder — Free URL Encoding Tool
What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding (also known as percent-encoding) converts characters that are not allowed in URLs into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. For example, spaces become %20, and special characters like & become %26.
Our URL Encoder/Decoder lets you encode plain text into URL-safe format and decode percent-encoded URLs back to readable text. All processing runs locally in your browser.
Why Use Our URL Encoder?
- Instant encoding/decoding — No page reloads, no waiting
- 100% private — Your data stays in your browser
- Handles all edge cases — Properly encodes all RFC 3986 reserved characters
- Free and unlimited — No sign-up, no limits
How to Use This URL Encoder/Decoder
- Choose Encode or Decode mode
- Enter your text or URL in the input box
- Click Encode or Decode
- Copy the result
URL Encoding Examples
| Plain Text | URL-Encoded |
|---|---|
hello world | hello%20world |
foo=bar&baz=qux | foo%3Dbar%26baz%3Dqux |
https://example.com/path?q=hello world | https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fpath%3Fq%3Dhello%20world |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need URL encoding?
Whenever you include special characters in a URL — such as query parameters, form data, or paths with spaces and symbols. Browsers sometimes encode URLs automatically, but manual encoding ensures your URLs are always valid.
Is my data safe?
Yes. Everything runs client-side in your browser. No data is ever transmitted to any server.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURIComponent encodes all special characters including /?&:=, making it suitable for query parameter values. encodeURI preserves URL structure characters. Our tool uses encodeURIComponent for maximum safety.