What is URL encoding?

URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) is a method to encode special characters in URLs using % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20. This is necessary because URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters, and special characters like spaces, #, ?, &, etc. must be encoded to be transmitted safely.

When should I use URL encoding?

Use URL encoding when: 1) Passing parameters in query strings (e.g., ?search=hello world → ?search=hello%20world), 2) Including special characters in URLs, 3) Transmitting non-ASCII characters (international text), 4) Building API requests with parameters. URL encoding ensures data is transmitted correctly without breaking the URL structure.

What is the difference between encoding and decoding?

Encoding converts special characters to percent-encoded format (%XX), making text safe for URLs. Decoding reverses this process, converting %XX sequences back to original characters. For example: "hello world" encodes to "hello%20world", and decoding reverses it back to "hello world".

Can I encode international characters?

Yes, this tool supports UTF-8 encoding for international characters. Characters like Korean (한글), Japanese (日本語), Chinese (中文), and emoji are automatically encoded to their percent-encoded UTF-8 representation, making them safe for use in URLs.

Is this URL encoder free?

Yes, this URL encoder/decoder is completely free with no limitations. Encode and decode unlimited URLs, no registration required, and all processing happens in your browser for privacy.

URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode URLs with automatic detection

Input

Enter URL or text to encode/decode...

Output

Encoded URL

Query String Parser

Parse URL query parameters into key-value pairs

No query parameters found

Tips

• Use Encode URI for full URLs (e.g., https://example.com/path?key=value)

• Use Encode URI Component for individual parameters (e.g., query values)

• encodeURI preserves special characters like :, /, ?, &

• encodeURIComponent encodes all special characters except - _ . ! ~ * ' ( )