URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs and URI components. Handles query strings, special characters, and full URLs. Instant bidirectional conversion.
Encoded output
URL Encoder/Decoder runs 100% in your browser
Your files are never uploaded to any server. All processing happens locally on your device using modern browser technology. Private, fast, and free.
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How to URL-Encode and Decode Strings and URLs
Open the URL Encoder/Decoder
Navigate to the tool. No signup, nothing to install.
Pick a mode
Toggle between Encode (plain text → percent-encoded) and Decode (percent-encoded → plain text).
Choose scope
Component encodes everything including / and ?. Full URL preserves structural characters. Use Component for query values, Full for whole URLs.
Paste your input
The output appears live in the second box. Hit Swap to send output to input for round-trip testing, or Copy to clipboard.
Pro Tips
- •Use Component scope (encodeURIComponent) for query string values — it encodes & and = so they do not break the URL structure.
- •Use Full URL scope (encodeURI) only when encoding an entire URL that already has structure — it leaves /, ?, &, = intact.
- •Spaces become %20 in URL paths, but + in form-encoded query strings. We use %20 since it works in both contexts.
- •Decoding throws clear errors on malformed escape sequences (like a stray % followed by non-hex). The tool reports the failure explicitly.
- •For API debugging: paste a failing URL into Decode to see exactly what characters your client encoded incorrectly.
Who needs URL Encoder/Decoder?
Students
Academic work and assignments
Professionals
Business and office tasks
Creatives
Design and content creation
Everyone
Personal everyday tasks
When to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
Debugging broken URLs
Decode a failing API URL to see exactly which characters your client over-encoded or got wrong.
Building query strings
Encode special characters in user input (search terms, filter values) before stuffing them into a URL.
OAuth and redirect URIs
OAuth flows pass URLs as query parameters — those parameter values must be encoded so & and = do not break the wrapping URL.
Email tracking links
Encode unsubscribe URLs or click-tracking URLs that get wrapped inside a redirect URL with its own query string.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does URL encoding actually do?
It replaces characters that have special meaning in URLs (like &, =, ?, #, space) with their percent-encoded equivalents (%26, %3D, %3F, %23, %20) so they can be safely passed in URL paths or query strings.
When should I encode a URL vs a URL component?
Encode a component when you are embedding user input or a value into a query string. Encode a full URL when you have a complete URL with structure (scheme, host, path) that needs to survive being passed as a string.
Why does decoding sometimes fail?
Decoding fails if the input has invalid escape sequences — like a % followed by characters that are not valid hex digits. Common cause: double-encoded URLs or copy-paste artifacts.
What is the difference between + and %20 for spaces?
+ for spaces is specific to application/x-www-form-urlencoded form bodies and query strings. %20 works everywhere including URL paths. We always use %20 to avoid ambiguity.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript built-in encodeURIComponent / decodeURIComponent. Nothing leaves your device.
URL Encoder/Decoder vs Alternatives
URL encoding is a common dev task. Here is how various options stack up.
Command-line tools
curl, jq, python -c
Key difference: Powerful but requires installing tools and remembering exact flags. Slower for quick one-offs.
Browser DevTools console
encodeURIComponent() in Console
Key difference: Works fine but requires opening DevTools, typing the function, escaping quotes for special characters.
Other online URL encoders
Many ad-supported sites
Key difference: Usually missing the encode-vs-decode toggle and the component-vs-full scope choice. Some inject ads into copied text.
Live encode/decode toggle, scope selector for component vs full URL, swap button for round-trips, no ads.
Good to know
- All processing happens in your browser. Very large files may be slower on mobile devices or older computers.
- Results depend on the quality and format of your input. For best results, use high-quality source files.
- Once you close the browser tab, all data is gone. Make sure to download your results before closing.
Key Features
100% Free
No hidden fees, no premium tiers, no limits on how much you use it. Free today, free tomorrow, free forever.
Complete Privacy
Your files never leave your device. Everything is processed locally in your browser — we physically cannot access your data.
No Registration
Start using the tool immediately. No account, no email, no personal information required. Just open and use.
Works Everywhere
Compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on desktop and mobile. Works offline once the page has loaded.
Full Step-by-Step Guide
Detailed walkthrough with pro tips and best practices for getting the best results every time.
Read guideFrequently Asked Questions
Every common question answered — file limits, privacy, supported formats, compatibility, and more.
View FAQCompare Alternatives
See how URL Encoder/Decoder stacks up against Adobe, Smallpdf, and other paid and free alternatives.
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