DevToolKit

URL Encoder/Decoder | Free Online Tool - DevToolKit

Free URL encoder and decoder. Encode special characters for URLs or decode percent-encoded strings. Supports full URL and component encoding.

Encodes all special characters — use for query parameter values.

Common URL Encodings

Space→%20
!→%21
#→%23
$→%24
&→%26
'→%27
(→%28
)→%29
*→%2A
+→%2B
,→%2C
/→%2F
:→%3A
;→%3B
=→%3D
?→%3F
@→%40
[→%5B
]→%5D

What is URL Encoder/Decoder?

URL Encoder/Decoder is a free online tool that converts text to and from URL-encoded (percent-encoded) format. URL encoding replaces unsafe characters with a percent sign (%) followed by two hexadecimal digits. This is essential when passing special characters in URLs, query strings, and form data.

How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder

Enter text in the input area. Click "Encode" to convert special characters to percent-encoded format, or "Decode" to convert percent-encoded strings back to readable text. Choose between encodeURI (preserves URL structure) and encodeURIComponent (encodes everything except letters, digits, and a few special characters). Conversion happens in real time as you type.

How URL Encoder/Decoder Works

URL encoding converts characters outside the allowed URL character set into percent-encoded triplets (%XX). The tool uses JavaScript built-in functions: encodeURI() encodes a full URI preserving reserved characters like :, /, and ?, while encodeURIComponent() encodes all special characters. Decoding reverses the process using decodeURI() or decodeURIComponent().

Common Use Cases

  • Encoding query parameters before adding them to a URL
  • Decoding percent-encoded URLs to read their content
  • Preparing data for HTTP POST requests with application/x-www-form-urlencoded
  • Debugging URL encoding issues in web applications
  • Encoding file paths or special characters for API calls

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?▼

encodeURI() is designed for encoding complete URIs and preserves characters that have special meaning in URLs (like :, /, ?, #, &). encodeURIComponent() encodes everything except letters, digits, and - _ . ~ making it suitable for encoding individual parameter values.

When should I use URL encoding?▼

Use URL encoding whenever you need to include special characters in a URL, such as spaces, ampersands, or non-ASCII characters. It is essential for query string parameters, form submissions, and any data transmitted via URLs.

What does %20 mean in a URL?▼

%20 is the URL-encoded representation of a space character. When you see %20 in a URL, it means there was a space in the original text. Similarly, %26 is &, %3D is =, and %3F is ?.

Is my data secure?▼

Yes. All encoding and decoding happens in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

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