URL Encode / Decode

URLs can only contain a limited set of characters. Spaces, special symbols, and non-ASCII characters need to be "percent-encoded" before they can be safely used in a URL. This tool handles the encoding and decoding instantly.

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters that aren't allowed in URLs into a % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, and an ampersand becomes %26.

How to Use This Tool

To Encode:

1. Paste your text or URL into the input box.
2. Click Encode.
3. The URL-safe encoded string appears in the output. Copy and use it.

To Decode:

1. Paste the percent-encoded URL string into the input box.
2. Click Decode.
3. The readable original text appears in the output.

URL Encoding Examples

• Space → %20 (or + in form data)
• & → %26
• = → %3D
• ? → %3F
• / → %2F
• # → %23
• @ → %40

Why Is URL Encoding Necessary?

URLs have a specific syntax where certain characters have special meaning (? starts a query string, & separates parameters, # marks a fragment). If your data contains these characters, they need to be encoded so they don't break the URL structure.

Why Use This Tool?

Developers need URL encoding when building APIs, crafting query strings, debugging web requests, or handling user input in URLs. This tool makes it instant — no need to remember hex codes or write encoding logic manually.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Double-encoding — encoding an already-encoded string produces %2520 instead of %20. Always decode first if unsure of the current state.
• Encoding the entire URL — only encode the components (parameter values, path segments) — not the entire URL including https:// and slashes.
• Confusing URL encoding with Base64 — they serve different purposes. URL encoding makes characters URL-safe; Base64 converts binary data to text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between %20 and +?

Both represent a space, but in different contexts. %20 is the correct percent-encoding for spaces in URLs. The + character represents a space only in HTML form data (application/x-www-form-urlencoded), not in path segments.

Why does my URL have % characters in it?

Percent signs in URLs indicate encoded characters. Your browser or application encoded special characters automatically. Use this decoder to see what the original text was.

Can I URL-encode an entire paragraph?

Yes. Paste any text and click Encode. The output will be safe to use as a URL parameter value. Be aware that very long encoded strings can exceed URL length limits (typically 2,048–8,192 characters depending on the server).

What characters don't need to be encoded in URLs?

Unreserved characters that are safe without encoding: A–Z, a–z, 0–9, hyphen (-), underscore (_), period (.), and tilde (~). Everything else should be encoded.

Is URL encoding the same as HTML encoding?

No. HTML encoding converts characters like < to &lt; for safe display in HTML. URL encoding converts characters for safe use in URLs. Both are important but for different contexts.

Conclusion

URL encoding is a small but critical part of building and debugging web applications. This tool handles both encoding and decoding so you can focus on your work — not on memorizing hexadecimal character codes.

Related: Base64 Encode/Decode | Password Generator | IP Subnet Calculator