URL Encoder & Decoder — Encode and Decode URL Strings
Encode text to URL format or decode URL-encoded strings instantly
About this tool
A free online URL encoder and decoder tool that helps developers instantly convert between plain text and URL-encoded format. URL encoding (also called percent encoding) converts special characters into a format safe for URLs and web transmission. When you see characters like %20 (space) or %2F (slash) in URLs, that's URL encoding.
Our tool makes URL encoding and decoding simple. Choose your mode—encode plain text into URL-safe format or decode URL-encoded strings back to readable text. The tool handles all special characters including spaces, punctuation, Unicode characters, and more, ensuring accurate bidirectional conversion.
URL encoding is essential for query parameters in URLs, form submissions, API requests, and any time you need to safely transmit text through web URLs. For example, if you want to include a space in a URL parameter, it must be encoded as %20. This tool lets you prepare text for URLs, debug encoded query strings, and understand what hidden characters are in encoded URLs.
How to use this tool
Choose your mode
Select "Encode URL" to convert plain text to URL-safe format, or "Decode URL" to convert encoded strings back to text.
Paste your text
Enter plain text in the left field (for encoding) or URL-encoded text (for decoding). The conversion happens instantly.
Review the output
See the encoded or decoded result in the right field. The tool shows you the character count and size comparison.
Copy or swap
Click Copy to copy the result to your clipboard. Use Swap to reverse modes and convert back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding and why is it necessary?
URL encoding converts special characters into a safe format for URLs and web transmission. Only unreserved characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, hyphen, underscore, period, tilde) are safe in URLs. Other characters like spaces become %20. This ensures URLs work correctly across all systems and browsers.
What does %20 mean in a URL?
The %20 in a URL represents a space character. Spaces aren't safe in URLs, so they must be encoded. For example, "hello world" becomes "hello%20world". This tool lets you see what characters are hidden behind percent-encoded strings.
How do I use this for query parameters?
When adding query parameters to URLs, special characters must be encoded. For example, to search for "C++ programming", encode it to "C%2B%2B%20programming". This tool helps you prepare text for inclusion in URL parameters.
What's the difference between URL encoding and HTML encoding?
URL encoding (%20 for space) is for safe URLs. HTML encoding (& for &) is for safe HTML display. They're different encoding schemes for different purposes. This tool focuses on URL encoding for web URLs and query strings.
Can I encode Unicode characters like emoji or international text?
Yes! This tool handles Unicode characters perfectly. International characters and emoji are converted to their UTF-8 percent-encoded equivalents. For example, "café" becomes "caf%C3%A9". This works for any Unicode text.