URL Encoder / Decoder

What is URL encoding?

URLs can only contain a limited set of characters. Spaces, accents, and symbols like &, ?, /, and = have special meaning or aren't allowed, so they're replaced with a percent sign and hex code — for example a space becomes %20 and & becomes %26. This is called percent-encoding (or URL encoding). This tool encodes text for safe use in a URL and decodes it back.

Component vs. full URL

• Component (encodeURIComponent) — encodes everything special, including / ? : @ & =. Use this for a single query value or path segment.
• Full URL (encodeURI) — leaves the structural characters of a URL intact, so the whole address stays valid. Use this to encode an entire URL.

FAQ

My query value has an ampersand — which do I use?

Use Component. If you don't encode the & inside a value, it'll be read as a separator between parameters and break your query string.

Is this URL encoder free, and does my text stay private?

Yes — it's free with no sign-up, and the encoding and decoding happen entirely in your browser using the built-in encodeURIComponent and encodeURI functions. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored.

When should I use Component versus Full URL?

Use Component (encodeURIComponent) for a single query value or path segment, since it encodes everything special including / ? : @ & =. Use Full URL (encodeURI) when you want to encode an entire address while keeping its structural characters intact so the URL stays valid.

Why does a space become %20 or sometimes a plus sign?

Percent-encoding turns a space into %20, which is valid everywhere in a URL. Some older form submissions use + for spaces inside the query string instead; both decode back to a space, but %20 is the safer, more universal choice this tool produces.

Can I decode an encoded URL back to readable text?

Yes. Paste percent-encoded text and switch to decode mode to convert sequences like %20 and %26 back into the original spaces and symbols, which is handy for reading log entries or links others have shared.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. It's responsive and runs in any mobile browser, so you can encode or decode URLs on a phone or tablet without installing anything.