URL Encode / Decode
Percent-encode & decode URLs and query strings.
100% private — runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
How to use the URL Encode / Decode
- 1Enter your text or URL
Paste the value, query string or URL you want to encode or decode.
- 2Encode or decode
Click Encode URL to percent-encode special characters, or Decode URL to reverse it.
- 3Copy the result
Copy the encoded or decoded string with one click.
Examples
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
hello world & café | hello%20world%20%26%20caf%C3%A9 |
a=1&b=2 | a%3D1%26b%3D2 |
https://ex.com/?q=t shirt | https%3A%2F%2Fex.com%2F%3Fq%3Dt%20shirt |
Free online URL encoder & decoder
This URL encoder / decoder percent-encodes text so it is safe to place inside a URL, or decodes an already-encoded URL back into readable text. It uses the same standard your browser uses, so results are always correct.
How it works
- Encode turns characters like spaces and & into %20, %26, etc.
- Decode converts %-sequences back to normal characters.
- Handles Unicode (Bengali, Arabic, emojis) correctly via UTF-8.
Perfect for developers building query strings, redirect links, API calls and tracking URLs. Runs 100% in your browser for full privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) replaces unsafe characters in a URL with a % followed by two hex digits. For example a space becomes %20. This keeps URLs valid and unambiguous.
When do I need to encode a URL?
Whenever a value contains spaces, &, ?, =, /, or non-English characters and you want to put it inside a query string or link — for example search terms or redirect URLs.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding use your browser's built-in functions and run entirely on your device.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURIComponent (used here) encodes characters like / ? & = so a value is safe inside a query string. encodeURI leaves those characters alone because it is meant for encoding a whole URL.
Why is a space shown as %20 or +?
In percent-encoding a space becomes %20. In older application/x-www-form-urlencoded form data a space can appear as +. This tool uses the standard %20.