URL Encoder and Decoder
Percent-encode text and query values for safe use in links, or decode percent-encoded URLs back to readable text. Runs in your browser, with full UTF-8 support.
A URL encoder and decoder that turns text and query values into a URL-safe format and back again. It is built for marketers assembling campaign links, developers building API requests, and anyone who needs to drop a search term or special characters into a link without breaking it. It uses standard percent-encoding with full UTF-8 support, and everything runs in your browser with nothing sent to a server.
How to use this tool
- 01Choose encode or decodeThe "Encode" tab turns plain text into a URL-safe string. The "Decode" tab turns a percent-encoded string back into readable text.
- 02Paste your inputType the text or query value to encode, or paste a percent-encoded string (the kind with % signs) to decode. The result updates as you type.
- 03Copy the resultThe output appears instantly, and you can copy it with one click to drop into a link or your code.
When is this useful?
- Build a campaign linkEncode a query value that contains spaces, ampersands, or other symbols so you can add it to a tracking URL without breaking the link.
- Read an encoded URL you receivedPaste a link full of %20 and other percent codes to see what it actually says. Decoding turns it back into plain, readable text.
- Pass special characters in a query stringPut a search phrase or product name into a URL parameter. Encoding makes sure characters like &, =, and ? are treated as text, not as part of the URL structure.
Examples
- Encode "summer sale & more"The text "summer sale & more" becomes summer%20sale%20%26%20more, so the & is not mistaken for a parameter separator.
- Encode a spaceA space is encoded as %20, so "hello world" becomes hello%20world.
- Decode %20The string hello%20world decodes back to hello world.
Tips for a better result
- Encode the value, not the whole URLUsually you only encode a single parameter value, not the entire address. Encoding a full URL would also escape the :// and the dots in the domain.
- Here a space is %20, not +This tool encodes a space as %20, following the standard for URL components. If you see a + standing for a space, that came from older form encoding, not from this tool.
- Reserved characters get escapedCharacters with special meaning in a URL, such as &, =, ?, and /, are converted to percent codes so they are read as text inside your value.
What is URL encoding and why is it needed?
A URL is only allowed to contain a limited set of characters. Things like spaces, non-Latin letters, and symbols such as &, ?, or = either have a special meaning or are not allowed at all, so they have to be converted into a % followed by a code. That tells the browser the characters are content, not part of the URL structure. Without encoding, links that contain those characters would break or point to the wrong place.
Full encoding vs partial encoding
This tool uses encoding that suits a single value inside a URL, including converting characters like & and =. That is exactly what you want when adding a value to a parameter. If you encode a whole URL, its structure (like the ://) gets encoded too, so it is better to encode only the parts that change. Under the hood it uses encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent.
Privacy
Encoding and decoding happen entirely in your browser. No text or URL is sent to a server or stored on our side. Close the tab and everything is gone.
Frequently asked questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, converts characters that are not safe in a URL into a % followed by a code. It lets you put spaces, symbols, and non-Latin text into a link without breaking it.
When should I URL encode text?
Encode a value whenever you put free text, a search term, or anything with spaces or symbols into a query string or link, for example a campaign parameter or an API request value.
Can I decode a URL back to readable text?
Yes. Switch to the Decode tab and paste a percent-encoded string to turn it back into plain text. UTF-8 is supported, so non-Latin characters come back correctly.
Is URL encoding encryption?
No. URL encoding is encoding only, not encryption. Anyone can decode it back to the original text, so it does not hide or protect anything.
Is my text uploaded?
No. All encoding and decoding happen in your browser. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Why does decoding fail with an error?
Usually because a % sign is incomplete or invalid, for example it is not followed by two valid characters. Make sure you copied the full string exactly as it was.
Should I use this for passwords or secrets?
No. URL encoding does not secure anything, so it is not suitable for passwords, tokens, private keys, or other secrets. It only changes how text is written, and anyone can decode it.
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