URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs and URI components
About this Tool
The URL Encoder/Decoder converts text and URLs to percent-encoded format (URL encoding) and decodes them back to readable text. URL encoding replaces unsafe characters with '%' followed by two hexadecimal digits. This is essential for passing data in URLs, ensuring special characters are transmitted correctly across the web.
Common Use Cases
Query Parameters
Encode data being passed in URL query strings (e.g., ?search=hello world becomes ?search=hello%20world) for proper HTTP transmission.
API Requests
Prepare parameters for RESTful API calls, ensuring special characters in usernames, searches, or filters are correctly encoded.
Email Links
Create mailto: links with pre-filled subjects or bodies containing special characters that need encoding to work across all email clients.
Debugging
Decode URL-encoded strings from browser address bars, server logs, or error messages to understand actual content being transmitted.
Pro Tips
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Space Encoding
Spaces are encoded as %20 (or + in form data). Both are valid but %20 is more universal for general URL encoding.
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Reserved Characters
Characters like ?, &, =, #, / have special meanings in URLs. Encoding prevents them from being interpreted as URL structure when they're part of data.
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Double Encoding
Be careful not to encode already-encoded URLs. Encoding 'hello%20world' again becomes 'hello%2520world' (double-encoded).
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Encoding Only Data
Only encode the parameter values, not the entire URL structure. Don't encode http://, ?, &, or = that are part of the URL syntax itself.