🔗 URL Encoder & Decoder

Need to put spaces, symbols or Unicode text safely inside a URL parameter? Encode the value into URL-safe form, or paste percent-encoded text to turn it back into readable text.

🔒 Your text is processed locally in your browser. This tool does not need to upload your input to a server to perform encoding or decoding.
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What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding converts characters that may have a special meaning inside a URL into a percent-encoded representation.

A percent-encoded value normally contains a percent sign followed by hexadecimal characters representing encoded data.

Original text:
Hello World!

Encoded text:
Hello%20World!

How to Encode a URL or Text

  1. Enter the text or URL component you want to encode.
  2. Click Encode URL.
  3. The encoded value will appear in the Result box.
  4. Use the Copy Result button if you want to copy the encoded value.

How to Decode URL-Encoded Text

  1. Paste a percent-encoded value into the Input box.
  2. Click Decode URL.
  3. The readable decoded value will appear in the Result box.
Encoded:
Hello%20ToolStrive

Decoded:
Hello ToolStrive

Does This Tool Support Unicode?

Yes. JavaScript's standard URI encoding functions work with UTF-8 representations of Unicode text, allowing text in many languages to be encoded and decoded.

For example, text containing Urdu characters can be converted into its percent-encoded URL representation and decoded again.

Common Uses of URL Encoding

  • Preparing text for URL query parameters.
  • Encoding spaces and special characters.
  • Working with API request parameters.
  • Debugging encoded URLs.
  • Reading percent-encoded values.
  • Preparing dynamic values for web applications.

URL Encoding vs Base64

URL encoding and Base64 encoding solve different problems.

URL encoding is commonly used to represent characters safely within URL components. Base64 converts binary or text data into a different textual representation.

Neither URL encoding nor Base64 should be treated as encryption because the original data can normally be decoded without a secret key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are spaces encoded as %20?

Percent encoding represents characters that may not be safe in a URL component. A space is commonly represented as %20 by encodeURIComponent-style encoding.

Should I encode a complete URL with this tool?

This tool is best suited to URL components or parameter values. Encoding an entire URL can also encode structural characters such as colons and slashes.

What happens if I try to decode invalid URL encoding?

The tool catches decoding errors and shows an error instead of silently returning a misleading result.

Related Developer Tools

When URL Encoding Is Needed

URL encoding represents characters that have special meaning in a URL component. For example, a space is commonly represented as %20 when encoded with component-style percent encoding.

Encode only the value or component that needs encoding when building a URL. Encoding an entire already-structured URL can also encode separators such as :, /, ? or & and change its meaning. Decoding malformed percent sequences can fail.