What is URL Encoder & Decoder Online?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts characters that are unsafe or have special meaning in URLs into a `%XX` format. Spaces become `%20` or `+`, ampersands (`&`) become `%26`, and so on. Our URL encoder & decoder online ensures that your data is safe for transmission in query parameters, anchors, or paths. This is essential when embedding arbitrary values in query strings to prevent parsing ambiguity. Without encoding, a value containing `&` would be misinterpreted by the server as the start of a new parameter. This tool follows the RFC 3986 standard for URI encoding, ensuring compatibility across all modern web browsers and servers. Whether you are building complex API requests manually or trying to read a garbled URL from a log file, this encoder/decoder is a reliable, private companion. All operations run locally, so your URLs never touch our servers.
How to Use URL Encoder & Decoder Online
- Paste the string you want to encode or decode.
- The result is computed instantly.
- Use "Encode" for strings going into URLs, "Decode" to read received URL values.
Example
URL-encoded string
Input
hello world & moreOutput
hello%20world%20%26%20moreDeveloper Tips
When passing data to an API via a query string, always use `encodeURIComponent()` for the values. This ensures that characters like `/` (which are valid in a URL path) are correctly encoded if they appear in your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What characters need to be URL encoded?
Reserved characters like &, =, +, #, ?, / and space must be encoded when used as data in URLs. Letters, digits, -, _, ., and ~ are safe and do not need encoding.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a full URL, leaving / and : untouched. encodeURIComponent encodes everything — use it for individual query parameter values.