URL Encoder & Decoder
Percent-encode text for use in a URL, or decode a percent-encoded URL back to readable text. Free and instant.
URL encode and decode
How to use the URL Encoder/Decoder
- Paste your text or URL into the Input box.
- Choose Encode a value for a query parameter, or Encode a whole URL to keep its structure.
- Click Encode to percent-encode, or Decode to turn %20 and similar codes back into characters.
- Press Copy result to copy the output.
Frequently asked questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, replaces characters that are not safe in a URL with a percent sign and two hex digits. A space becomes %20.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is for a full URL and leaves characters like / ? & and = alone. encodeURIComponent is for a single value and encodes those too, so it is the right choice for a query parameter.
Why is a space sometimes a plus sign?
In HTML form data, a space is written as +. This decoder treats + as a space. In the path of a URL, a plus is a literal plus.
Does it handle non-English characters?
Yes. They are converted to UTF-8 bytes and each byte is percent-encoded, so cafe with an accent becomes caf%C3%A9.
Why does decoding fail?
A % that is not followed by two valid hex digits is not valid encoding, so the text cannot be decoded.