URL Encoder
Free online URL Encoder. Simple, fast, and secure tool running in your browser.
What is the URL Encoder/Decoder?
When transmitting data over the internet, URLs can only be sent using the ASCII character set. If your URL string contains spaces, special characters, or non-ASCII characters, it must be encoded before it can be safely processed by a web browser or server. Our Free Online URL String Encoder instantly converts unprintable and special characters into a universally accepted format.
Conversely, working with API responses, referral links, or complex web queries often leaves you deciphering URLs filled with "%20", "%3D", or "%26". Our decoder instantly converts these percent-encoded strings back into readable human text, making debugging effortless.
This tool processes your data entirely on the client side (in your browser), meaning your strings are never uploaded or saved to our servers.
How to Encode and Decode URLs
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1
Enter your String
Paste the text string or encoded URL you want to process into the input box.
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2
Select Action
Choose whether to Encode or Decode your string depending on your requirement.
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3
Copy Result
The tool will instantly convert your string. Click "Copy" to save the formatted result to your clipboard.
š” Pro Tips for Best Results
- ā¢ To encode query string parameters properly, only encode the values. The query keys might be interpreted incorrectly if heavily encoded.
- ā¢ Remember that alphanumeric characters [0-9a-zA-Z], special characters $-_.+!*'(), and reserved characters do not need to be encoded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to encode strings in a URL?
URLs cannot contain spaces or certain special symbols. Encoding translates these unsupported characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the HTTP protocol.
What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 is the URL-encoded representation of a standard space character.
Should I use %20 or a plus sign (+)?
Use %20 for the main URL path and file names. The + sign is historically used for spaces in the query string (the part after the ?).