URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URL strings with support for multiple encoding methods and Unicode characters
Introduction
Need to encode user input for URL query parameters, decode cryptic URL strings to see what data they contain, or prepare form data for API submissions? Our URL Encoder/Decoder handles bidirectional conversion with three encoding methods: encodeURIComponent (for individual parameters), encodeURI (for complete URLs), and Strict RFC 3986 (for maximum compatibility). Real-time processing shows results instantly as you type, and full Unicode support handles emojis, international characters, and special symbols correctly. Perfect for developers building REST APIs, debugging URL issues, preparing query strings, or working with form-encoded data. Switch between encode and decode modes with one click, and everything processes privately in your browser.
Who Should Use This Tool?
- Web developers building REST APIs that pass data through URL parameters
- Frontend developers handling form submissions with special characters
- Backend engineers debugging URL encoding issues in API integrations
- DevOps professionals analyzing HTTP logs with encoded query strings
- Software testers verifying URL parameter handling in web applications
- Mobile app developers preparing data for HTTP requests
- SEO specialists analyzing URL structures and query parameters
- Security researchers testing for XSS vulnerabilities in URL handling
- Data analysts extracting information from encoded URL parameters
- Full-stack developers working with internationalized applications
How This Tool Works
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) transforms text into a URL-safe format by replacing unsafe characters with a percent sign (%) followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character's UTF-8 byte code. This process is essential because URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters, and certain characters have special meanings in URL syntax (like ? for query strings, = for parameters, & for separators, and # for fragments). When you encode text, spaces become %20, equals signs become %3D, and Unicode characters like emojis or international letters are converted to multi-byte sequences (e.g., π becomes %F0%9F%8C%8D). Our tool offers three encoding methods: encodeURIComponent encodes all special characters and is perfect for individual query parameter values; encodeURI preserves URL structural characters (:, /, ?, #) making it suitable for encoding complete URLs while maintaining their structure; and Strict Component follows RFC 3986 by additionally encoding characters like !, ', (, ), and * for maximum compatibility with strict systems like OAuth. Decoding reverses this process, converting percent-encoded sequences back to readable text. The tool performs all conversions instantly in your browser using JavaScript's native encoding functions, ensuring complete privacyβyour data never leaves your device. Real-time processing means results appear as you type, and full UTF-8 support ensures correct handling of all Unicode characters including emojis, Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic, and other international scripts. Whether you're building APIs, debugging URL issues, preparing form submissions, or working with international characters, this tool provides instant, accurate, and secure URL encoding and decoding.
Try URL Encoder/Decoder Now
Use the interactive tool below to get instant results
Client-Side Processing
All encoding and decoding happens in your browser using native JavaScript functions. No data is sent to any server.
Conversion Mode
Plain Text Input
π Encoding Methods Explained
A-Z a-z 0-9 - _ . ! ~ * ' ( )Use for: Query parameters, form data, path segments
: / ? # [ ] @ ! $ & ' ( ) * + , ; =Use for: Complete URLs that need to remain valid
Use for: Maximum compatibility with strict parsers
π‘ Quick Tips
- β’ Real-Time: Conversion happens automatically as you type
- β’ Unicode Safe: Handles emojis, special characters, and international text
- β’ Switch & Swap: Quickly reverse the conversion with one click
- β’ Copy Output: Click the copy button to copy results to clipboard
- β’ Method Selection: Choose the right encoding method for your use case
π€ Common Character Encodings
How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
Select Conversion Mode
Choose "Encode" to convert plain text into URL-safe format with percent-encoding, or select "Decode" to convert URL-encoded strings back to readable text. Switch modes anytime using the mode selector, and the tool remembers your preference for future visits.
Choose Encoding Method
Select encodeURIComponent (encodes all special characters, best for query parameter values), encodeURI (preserves URL structure characters like :, /, ?, best for complete URLs), or Strict Component (RFC 3986 compliant, encodes additional characters for maximum compatibility with strict systems).
Enter Your Input
Type or paste your text (when encoding) or URL-encoded string (when decoding) into the input area. Conversion happens automatically in real-time as you type with no delays, showing immediate feedback on how your text transforms or what encoded strings represent.
Copy or Switch
Click "Copy" to place the result on your clipboard, ready to paste into URLs, code, or documentation. Use "Switch & Swap" to reverse the conversion mode and use the current output as new input - perfect for verifying that your encoding and decoding work correctly without retyping.
Use Cases for URL Encoder/Decoder
Query Parameter Encoding
Encode user input for URL query strings when building search features, filters, or passing data through GET requests. Essential for safely including spaces, special characters, and Unicode in URLs without breaking syntax or causing security vulnerabilities like XSS attacks.
REST API Development
Prepare data for REST API endpoints that expect URL-encoded parameters in the URL path or query string. Test how different characters are transmitted, debug encoding issues in API integrations, and ensure special characters don't break API requests or responses.
Form Data Submission
Encode form submissions that use application/x-www-form-urlencoded content type for POST requests. Handle spaces, symbols, ampersands, equals signs, and Unicode characters properly, ensuring form data reaches servers intact without corruption or misinterpretation.
URL Debugging and Analysis
Decode cryptic URL parameters to understand what data is being passed between pages, services, or API calls. Debug issues with incorrectly encoded URLs, identify where encoding breaks down in complex systems, and verify that URLs are properly formatted before use.
Internationalization and Unicode
Properly encode international characters, emojis, and special symbols for use in URLs when building multilingual applications. Test how different writing systems (Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic) are encoded and decoded, ensuring global users can safely pass data through URL parameters.
Key Features
100% Private and Instant
All URL encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, nothing is uploaded to any server, and processing is instantaneous - perfect for encoding sensitive data like user IDs, tokens, or personal information.
Three Encoding Methods
encodeURIComponent for individual parameter values (encodes all special characters), encodeURI for complete URLs (preserves :, /, ?, #), and Strict Component for RFC 3986 compliance (encodes !, ', (, ), * additionally). Choose the right method for your use case.
Real-Time Conversion
Output updates automatically as you type or paste, with no buttons to click or processing delays. See immediate feedback on every change, helping you understand exactly how characters transform or verify that decoding produces expected results without manual triggering.
Full Unicode Support
Properly handles all Unicode characters including emojis (π becomes %F0%9F%8C%8D), Chinese characters (δ½ ε₯½ becomes %E4%BD%A0%E5%A5%BD), Arabic, Cyrillic, and special symbols using UTF-8 encoding. JavaScript's native encoding handles multi-byte characters automatically without data corruption.
Error Detection
When decoding, the tool immediately identifies invalid percent-encoding sequences and displays clear error messages. Know instantly if your URL string is corrupted, incomplete, or contains invalid sequences that don't represent valid UTF-8, preventing cryptic errors in production.
No Software or Registration
Works instantly in any modern web browser without downloads, installations, or account creation. Access the tool anytime from any device - no setup required, no personal information collected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tool upload my data to a server?
No, absolutely not. All URL encoding and decoding happens entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, nothing is uploaded anywhere, and no one except you can see your data. This makes the tool completely safe for encoding sensitive information like API keys or user data.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is designed for complete URLs and preserves characters that have special meaning in URLs (like :, /, ?, #, etc.), making it suitable for encoding entire URL strings. encodeURIComponent encodes ALL special characters and is meant for individual URL components like query parameter values. Use encodeURIComponent for parameter values to avoid breaking URL structure.
Why do characters become %20 or other percent codes?
URL encoding uses percent-encoding where unsafe characters are converted to a percent sign (%) followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character's UTF-8 code. Space (ASCII 32 = 0x20) becomes %20, equals sign (ASCII 61 = 0x3D) becomes %3D. This ensures characters don't break URL syntax or get misinterpreted.
Can this tool handle emojis and international characters?
Yes! The tool properly handles all Unicode characters using UTF-8 encoding. Emojis like π become multi-byte sequences like %F0%9F%8C%8D, and non-Latin scripts like Chinese (δ½ ε₯½ β %E4%BD%A0%E5%A5%BD) or Arabic are handled correctly. JavaScript's encodeURIComponent manages UTF-8 complexity automatically.
When should I use Strict Component encoding?
Use Strict Component encoding when you need RFC 3986 compliance, which encodes additional characters (!, ', (, ), *) beyond standard encodeURIComponent. This is important for OAuth signatures, security-sensitive applications, or systems that strictly follow RFC 3986 and reject URLs with these unencoded characters.