URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode and decode URLs with percent-encoding for safe URL transmission
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts unsafe ASCII characters into a format that can be transmitted over the Internet.
Common Encodings:
- Query parameters with special characters
- Form data submission
- File names in URLs
- Search terms with spaces/symbols
- API parameters
- Email addresses in URLs
Reserved Characters:
:/?#[]@!$&'()*+,;=Step-by-Step Instructions
- Paste your URL or encoded text into the input field
- The tool automatically detects if your input needs encoding or decoding
- View the converted result in the output field instantly
- Use the "Encode" button to force encoding of plain text URLs
- Use the "Decode" button to force decoding of percent-encoded URLs
- Copy the result using the copy button or download it for later use
- Click "Clear" to reset both input and output fields
Smart Auto-Detection Features
- Automatic Processing: Detects percent-encoded characters (%) and automatically decodes
- Real-time Conversion: Instant encoding/decoding as you type or paste content
- Character Counter: Track input length for URL length optimization
- Error Handling: Clear error messages for malformed encoded strings
- Manual Override: Force specific operations with dedicated encode/decode buttons
Key Benefits
- Web Development: Safely encode URLs for form submissions, AJAX requests, and API calls
- SEO Optimization: Create clean, encoded URLs for search engine compatibility
- Data Security: Properly encode special characters to prevent URL manipulation attacks
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensure URLs work correctly across different browsers and systems
- Privacy Protection: All encoding/decoding happens locally - no data sent to servers
Real-World Applications
- Form Processing: Encode form data with special characters for safe HTTP transmission
- Search Functionality: Encode search queries containing spaces, symbols, or international characters
- API Development: Properly encode parameters for REST API requests and webhooks
- Email Marketing: Encode tracking URLs and campaign parameters for email campaigns
- Social Media Integration: Encode URLs for sharing on platforms that require proper encoding
- File Management: Encode file names with special characters for web-safe URLs
- Analytics Tracking: Encode UTM parameters and custom tracking variables
What is URL encoding and why is it necessary?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts unsafe ASCII characters into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. It's necessary because URLs can only contain certain characters, and special characters like spaces, symbols, and international characters must be encoded to prevent errors and security issues.
Which characters need to be encoded in URLs?
Reserved characters (:/?#[]@!$'()*+,;=), unsafe characters (spaces, quotes, <, >, {, }, |, \, ^, ~, `, %), and non-ASCII characters (international characters, emojis) should be encoded. Our tool automatically handles all these cases.
How does the auto-detection feature work?
Our tool uses intelligent detection: if your input contains percent signs (%) followed by hexadecimal characters, it assumes the text is already encoded and decodes it. Otherwise, it encodes the input. You can override this with the manual Encode/Decode buttons.
Is it safe to use this tool with sensitive URLs?
Yes, this tool is completely safe. All encoding and decoding operations happen locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your URLs are never transmitted to our servers, logged, or stored anywhere. Your data remains completely private.
https://example.com/search?q=hello world&category=web developmenthttps://example.com/search?q=hello%20world&category=web%20developmentuser@example.comuser%40example.com