URL Encode / Decode— Free & Private
Encode or decode URL strings and query parameters in your browser.
What Is URL Encoding?
URL encoding and decoding converts between readable URL strings and their percent-encoded equivalents. Encoding replaces unsafe or reserved characters with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits, while decoding reverses the process to recover the original readable string. This ensures that special characters like spaces, ampersands, and question marks are transmitted correctly in web addresses and query strings. Our tool handles both directions instantly in your browser.
How to Use URL Encode / Decode
Choose mode
Select URL Encode to convert text for safe URL use, or URL Decode to read encoded strings.
Enter your text
Paste the string you want to encode or the percent-encoded string to decode.
Copy the result
View the output instantly and copy it to your clipboard for use in URLs or code.
Why Use Our URL Encoder/Decoder?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which characters need to be URL encoded?
Characters like spaces, &, =, ?, #, %, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded when used in URLs. Letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores, and periods are safe and do not need encoding.
What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 is the URL-encoded representation of a space character. Some systems use a plus sign (+) for spaces in query strings, but %20 is the universal standard.
Should I encode the entire URL or just the query parameters?
Typically, you only encode individual parameter values. Encoding the entire URL would break the structural characters (://?&=) that define the URL format.