URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode or decode URL-safe strings instantly.
What is URL Encoder/Decoder?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters into a format safe for URLs. Special characters like spaces, &, =, and non-ASCII characters are replaced with percent signs followed by hex codes. This is essential for safely passing data in URLs, query strings, and form submissions.
How to Use This Tool
- Select 'Encode' or 'Decode' mode
- Enter your text or URL-encoded string
- The conversion happens automatically as you type
- Copy the result for use in your application
Common Use Cases
- Encoding query parameters for API calls
- Decoding URL-encoded form data
- Creating safe URLs with special characters
- Debugging URL encoding issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What characters need URL encoding?
Characters like spaces, &, =, ?, #, /, and non-ASCII characters need encoding. For example, spaces become %20, & becomes %26, and = becomes %3D.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI encodes a full URL but leaves valid URL characters intact. encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters, numbers, and - _ . ~. This tool uses encodeURIComponent for complete encoding.
Why is URL encoding necessary?
URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters. Special characters have reserved meanings in URLs, so they must be encoded to be treated as data rather than URL syntax.