URL Encoder & Decoder
Encode and decode URLs instantly. Handle special characters, query strings, and URI components with ease.
Encoding Mode:
Full URL encoding preserves URL structure (slashes, colons, etc.) while encoding special characters.
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Free Online URL Encoder & Decoder
Our free online URL encoder and decoder tool makes it easy to encode and decode URLs instantly. Whether you need to encode special characters in URLs, decode query strings, or work with URI components, our tool handles all your URL encoding needs. Perfect for web developers, SEO professionals, and anyone working with URLs and web applications.
How to Use the URL Encoder/Decoder
Using our URL encoder/decoder is simple. First, choose your encoding mode: Full URL encoding or URL Component encoding. Then paste or type your URL or text into the input field. Click the "Encode" button to encode your URL, or click the "Decode" button to decode an already-encoded URL. The result appears instantly in the output field. Use the "Copy Output" button to copy the result to your clipboard.
Understanding URL Encoding Modes
Our tool offers two encoding modes to handle different scenarios:
- Full URL (encodeURI): Preserves the URL structure by not encoding URL-specific characters like slashes (/), colons (:), question marks (?), and ampersands (&). Use this mode when encoding complete URLs with paths and query strings.
- URL Component (encodeURIComponent): Encodes all special characters including slashes, colons, and ampersands. Use this mode when encoding individual URL parameters or query string values that will be inserted into a URL.
What Gets Encoded?
URL encoding converts special characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Characters that are encoded include spaces (converted to %20 or +), punctuation marks, non-ASCII characters, and other special symbols. Safe characters that don't need encoding include letters (A-Z, a-z), numbers (0-9), hyphens (-), underscores (_), periods (.), and tildes (~).
Common URL Encoding Examples
- Space: Encoded as %20 or +
- Ampersand (&): Encoded as %26 (in component mode)
- Question Mark (?): Encoded as %3F (in component mode)
- Equals Sign (=): Encoded as %3D (in component mode)
- Forward Slash (/): Encoded as %2F (in component mode)
- Hash (#): Encoded as %23 (in component mode)
- Percent (%): Encoded as %25
- At Sign (@): Encoded as %40 (in component mode)
Why URL Encoding Matters
URL encoding is essential for web development and internet communication. URLs can only contain certain characters safely. Special characters, spaces, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded to ensure URLs work correctly across all systems and browsers. Without proper URL encoding, URLs with special characters may break, fail to load, or be misinterpreted. URL encoding ensures that data in URLs is transmitted safely and correctly.
Real-World Use Cases
URL encoding is used in many real-world scenarios. Search engines use URL encoding to handle search queries with special characters. Web forms use URL encoding to transmit form data in query strings. APIs use URL encoding for parameters and data transmission. Social media platforms use URL encoding to handle URLs with special characters in posts and shares. Email clients use URL encoding to handle links with special characters. Any web application that needs to pass data through URLs requires proper URL encoding.
Key Features of Our URL Encoder/Decoder
- Two Encoding Modes: Choose between full URL encoding and component encoding
- Real-time Processing: Instant encoding and decoding results
- Bidirectional: Encode URLs to safe format or decode encoded URLs back to readable text
- Copy to Clipboard: Easily copy encoded or decoded results
- No Limits: Handle URLs and text of any length
- Privacy: All processing happens in your browser, no data stored on servers
- No External Libraries: Pure JavaScript implementation for fast, reliable encoding
- Clear Function: Quickly clear input and output fields
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is used for encoding complete URLs and preserves URL structure characters like slashes, colons, and question marks. encodeURIComponent is used for encoding individual URL parameters and encodes all special characters including URL structure characters. Use encodeURI for complete URLs and encodeURIComponent for individual query parameters or values that will be inserted into URLs.
Why do spaces become %20 or + in URLs?
Spaces are not allowed in URLs, so they must be encoded. The standard encoding for spaces is %20 (percent-encoding). In query strings and form data, spaces are sometimes encoded as + (plus sign) for compatibility. Our tool uses %20 for standard URL encoding. Both %20 and + are valid representations of spaces in URLs.
Can I decode a URL that's already partially encoded?
Yes, our decoder can handle partially encoded URLs. It will decode the percent-encoded characters while leaving already-decoded characters unchanged. However, if you decode a URL multiple times, you may get unexpected results. Only decode URLs that are actually encoded.
What characters don't need to be encoded in URLs?
Safe characters that don't need encoding include uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), hyphens (-), underscores (_), periods (.), and tildes (~). These characters are considered "unreserved" and can appear in URLs without encoding. All other characters should be encoded for safety and compatibility.
Is URL encoding the same as HTML encoding?
No, URL encoding and HTML encoding are different. URL encoding is used for encoding data in URLs and query strings. HTML encoding is used for encoding special characters in HTML content. For example, a space is encoded as %20 in URLs but as or in HTML. Use the appropriate encoding for your specific use case.
Can I use this tool for API requests?
Yes, absolutely. Our URL encoder/decoder is perfect for preparing URLs and parameters for API requests. Use the URL Component mode to encode individual parameters that will be added to API endpoints. This ensures that special characters in your data don't break the API request.
Best Practices for URL Encoding
When working with URLs, follow these best practices: Always encode user input before including it in URLs to prevent injection attacks and ensure compatibility. Use encodeURIComponent for individual parameters and encodeURI for complete URLs. Test your encoded URLs to ensure they work correctly in your application. Be aware that some characters have special meaning in URLs (like ? for query strings and & for parameter separation) and should be encoded when they appear as data. Keep URLs readable by only encoding when necessary. Document which encoding method you're using in your code for clarity.
Security Considerations
URL encoding is important for security as well as functionality. Proper URL encoding helps prevent URL injection attacks where malicious characters could be inserted into URLs. By encoding user input before including it in URLs, you ensure that special characters are treated as data rather than URL syntax. This is especially important when building URLs dynamically or accepting user input. Always validate and encode user input before using it in URLs.