Online URL Encoder & Decoder
Securely convert your strings for use in URLs. Instantly encode special characters or decode them back to their original form.
Why is URL Encoding Necessary?
URLs can only contain a specific set of characters from the ASCII set. Any character outside this set, or characters that have a special meaning in URLs (known as "reserved characters"), must be encoded. This ensures that the web server or browser correctly interprets the URL.
For example, if you have a search query parameter like q=cats & dogs, the ampersand (&) would be misinterpreted as the start of a new parameter.
Encoding it to q=cats%20%26%20dogs ensures the entire phrase "cats & dogs" is treated as the value for
the search query.
Common Reserved Characters
| Character | Encoded Value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| %20 | Space | |
| / | %2F | Path separator |
| ? | %3F | Query string separator |
| & | %26 | Parameter separator |
| # | %23 | Fragment/anchor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a mechanism for converting characters that have a special meaning in URLs (like spaces, '&', '?', '#') into a safe format that can be transmitted over the internet. Each special character is replaced by a '%' sign followed by its two-digit hexadecimal code.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. This tool operates entirely within your web browser. Your data is never uploaded or stored on any server, ensuring 100% privacy and security.
What's the difference between encodeURI() and encodeURIComponent()?
This tool uses `encodeURIComponent()`, which is generally safer and more thorough. The main difference is that `encodeURI()` assumes you are passing it a full, valid URL and will *not* encode reserved characters that are essential to the URL's structure (like `/`, `?`, `&`, `#`). In contrast, `encodeURIComponent()` assumes you are encoding a *part* of a URL (like a search term or parameter value) and will encode those reserved characters to ensure they are treated as literal text.
100% Client-Side Processing
This tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. We do not upload, store, or analyze your data. Everything you process stays on your device.