Free Online URL Encoder and Decoder
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters. Spaces, special symbols, and non-ASCII characters need to be percent-encoded before they can appear in a URL. Our free URL encoder and decoder handles this conversion instantly — paste a URL with special characters to encode it, or paste an encoded URL to decode it back to readable text.
This tool is essential for anyone working with query parameters, API endpoints, redirect URLs, or tracking links. Everything runs in your browser — fast, private, and completely free.
How to Use the URL Encoder/Decoder
Paste your text or URL into the input field. Choose encode to convert special characters into percent-encoded format (for example, spaces become %20). Choose decode to convert a percent-encoded URL back to readable text. The result appears instantly and can be copied with one click.
Why You Need URL Encoding
- Developers encode query parameters to prevent broken URLs and injection attacks.
- Marketers create properly encoded tracking URLs and UTM parameters.
- SEO professionals debug encoded URLs in Google Search Console and analytics reports.
- API consumers encode request parameters that contain special characters or spaces.
- System administrators decode log entries that contain percent-encoded URL strings.
Key Features
- Encode and decode with a single click
- Handles all special characters and Unicode text
- Copy result to clipboard instantly
- 100% browser-based — no data sent to any server
- Free with no account required
Tips for Working With URLs
Always encode query parameter values, not the entire URL structure. Characters like =, &, and ? have special meaning in URLs and should only be encoded when they appear inside parameter values. Double-encoding is a common bug — if a URL looks like %2520 instead of %20, it has been encoded twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) replaces unsafe characters with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, and an ampersand becomes %26.
Why do URLs need to be encoded?
URLs can only contain ASCII characters and certain reserved characters have special meaning (&, =, ?, etc.). Encoding ensures that special characters in query values do not break the URL structure or get misinterpreted by servers and browsers.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
In JavaScript, encodeURI encodes a full URI but preserves structural characters like /, ?, and #. encodeURIComponent encodes everything including those structural characters, making it appropriate for encoding individual query parameter values.