What is URL encoding (percent encoding)?

URL encoding converts characters that are unsafe or reserved in URLs into a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits (e.g., space → %20, # → %23). It ensures URLs are transmitted correctly across the internet.

When should I encode a URL or query parameter?

Encode whenever your URL or query string contains spaces, special characters (&, =, ?, #), non-ASCII letters (Arabic, Chinese, accented), or any character that could be misinterpreted by a browser or server.

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

encodeURI encodes a full URL while preserving reserved characters like / and ?. encodeURIComponent encodes more aggressively and is used for individual query parameter names and values where those reserved characters must be escaped.

Will it decode plus signs (+) as spaces?

In application/x-www-form-urlencoded format (common in HTML form submissions), + represents a space. This tool can decode + as a space in that context. Standard percent-decoding treats + as a literal plus sign.

Is my data uploaded to your servers?

No. Encoding and decoding run entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Your input is never sent to or stored on our servers, so sensitive tokens and URLs remain private.

URL Encoder/Decoder – Encode & Decode URLs & Query Strings Free

Encode special characters in URLs to percent-encoded format or decode percent-encoded strings back to readable text — instantly, in your browser.

Text to Encode

Encoding Type

Encoded Result

Common Encodings

Space: %20

&: %26

=: %3D

?: %3F

/: %2F

#: %23

@: %40

+: %2B

What is this tool?

A URL Encoder/Decoder is a free online web-development tool that converts special characters in URLs to percent-encoded format (e.g., a space becomes %20, & becomes %26) or decodes percent-encoded strings back to readable human text. RFC 3986 defines which characters must be encoded in URLs; this tool handles the full conversion for you. Front-end developers, back-end engineers, API integrators, and digital marketers use it when building query strings, handling redirects, working with OAuth tokens, or debugging network requests that contain non-ASCII or reserved characters.

How to use this tool?

1. Select the mode: "Encode" to convert plain text to percent-encoding, or "Decode" to convert an encoded string back to readable text. 2. Paste your URL, query string, or raw text into the input field. 3. Click the Encode or Decode button to process it instantly. 4. Review the output in the result area. 5. Click Copy to copy the encoded or decoded string to your clipboard. 6. Paste it into your code, browser address bar, API client, or wherever you need it.

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Back to Text Tools

URL Encoder/Decoder – Encode & Decode URLs & Query Strings Free

Common Encodings

Results

What is this tool?

How to use this tool?

Frequently Asked Questions

Part of these toolkits

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