Free URL Encoder & Decoder Online — Percent-Encode URLs Instantly

Encode or decode URLs instantly with this free online tool. Convert special characters to percent-encoded format for safe use in URLs, query strings, and API requests — or decode encoded URLs back to human-readable text. Everything runs in your browser.

How to Use

1. Encode URL — uses encodeURI(), keeps URL structure characters (://?#) intact
2. Encode Component — uses encodeURIComponent(), encodes everything except letters, digits, and - _ . ~
3. Decode URL — converts percent-encoded sequences (%20, %3D, etc.) back to readable characters

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding (also called percent encoding) replaces unsafe characters in a URL with a % followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character’s byte value. For example, a space becomes %20 and an ampersand becomes %26.

When to Use Which Method

• encodeURI() — Use for encoding a full URL. Preserves : / ? # [ ] @ ! $ & ' ( ) * + , ; =
• encodeURIComponent() — Use for encoding a single query parameter value. Encodes everything except A-Z a-z 0-9 - _ . ~

Common Encoded Characters

• %20 — Space
• %26 — Ampersand (&)
• %3D — Equals (=)
• %3F — Question mark (?)
• %2F — Forward slash (/)
• %23 — Hash (#)
• %25 — Percent sign (%)

Privacy

This tool runs 100% client-side in your browser using built-in JavaScript functions. No data is transmitted to any server.

Recommended Reading

Deepen your understanding of URLs, HTTP, and web security:

• HTTP: The Definitive Guide — essential reading for understanding URLs and HTTP
• Web Security for Developers — essential reading for URL injection and encoding attacks
• Learning Web Design — essential reading for HTML forms and URL parameters

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