URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode or decode URLs for safe web usage. Perfect for developers, SEO, and API integration.
Enter Your URL
Result
Enter a URL to encode or decode
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What is URL Encoding?
URL Encoding (also known as Percent-Encoding) is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). URLs can only contain a specific set of characters from the US-ASCII character set. Characters outside this set, like spaces or special symbols (&, ?, #), must be converted into a safe format.
Our URL Encoder/Decoder is an essential tool for developers and SEO specialists. It ensures that your web links are technically sound and that query parameters are transmitted correctly across different browsers and servers.
Common Use Cases
- Query Parameters: If you're passing a search term or a dynamic value in a URL (e.g.,
?q=hello world), you must encode the space to%20or+. - API Requests: Many REST APIs require values in the path or query string to be encoded to prevent accidental interpretation as part of the URL structure.
- Social Sharing: When creating "Share on Twitter" or "Mailto" links, the body text must be URL-encoded to ensure it displays correctly in the target application.
How to Use the Tool
- Paste your raw text or the encoded URL into the large input field.
- Click "Encode URL" to convert special characters into percent-encoded equivalents.
- Click "Decode URL" to translate an encoded string back into readable plain text.
- Copy the result instantly to use in your code or browser.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does space turn into %20?
URLs cannot contain actual spaces. In the standard RFC 3986, the space character is a reserved character that must be encoded as %20. In some older web forms, you might see it encoded as a plus sign (+), which is also widely supported.
What characters are "Safe" and don't need encoding?
Standard alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and a few symbols like -, _, ., and ~ are considered "unreserved" and never need to be encoded. Everything else should usually be encoded if it's being passed as data.
Is URL Encoding secure?
No. URL encoding is not a security or encryption method. It is purely for structural integrity. Anyone can easily decode a URL-encoded string. Never pass sensitive information like passwords through URL parameters, even if they are encoded.