What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent encoding) converts special characters in URLs into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Certain characters have special meanings in URLs and must be encoded to avoid conflicts.
For example, spaces become %20, and ampersands become %26. This ensures that URLs work correctly across all browsers and systems.
How to Use This URL Encoder
- Paste plain text or a full URL into the input box.
- Click Encode to convert special characters into percent-encoded form.
- Click Decode to reverse percent sequences like
%20back to readable text. - Use the copy button to grab the result for your API call, query string, or HTML form.
Worked Example
Suppose you are building a search URL and need to pass the query cats & dogs as a parameter:
Input
cats & dogsEncoded output
cats%20%26%20dogsThe full query string becomes ?q=cats%20%26%20dogs, which browsers and servers can parse correctly.
Common Use Cases
đ Query Parameters
Safely pass data through URL query strings with special characters properly encoded.
đ Form Submissions
HTML forms use URL encoding when submitting data via GET or POST requests.
đ API Requests
Encode parameters when making HTTP requests to APIs to ensure data integrity.
đ Search Queries
Search engines and websites encode search terms to handle special characters.
Characters That Need Encoding
The following characters must be encoded in URLs:
Why Use Our URL Encoder?
đ Instant
Encode or decode URLs instantly in your browser with no delays.
đ Private
Your data never leaves your device. All processing happens locally.
đ¯ Free
Completely free with no limits, registrations, or hidden costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI is for full URLs and leaves characters like / and ? intact. encodeURIComponent encodes every reserved character and is the right choice for individual query parameter values.
Why is a space encoded as %20 and sometimes +?
In URL paths and most query strings, spaces become %20. HTML form submissions using application/x-www-form-urlencoded historically use + for spaces. Both are valid in different contexts.
Should I encode the entire URL?
Encode only the parts that contain user-supplied or dynamic values â typically query parameter values or path segments â not the scheme, host, or structural characters.
Is my input uploaded to a server?
No. Encoding and decoding happen entirely in your browser. Your URLs and query strings never leave your device.
How is URL encoding different from Base64?
URL encoding replaces unsafe characters with percent codes for use in URLs. Base64 converts binary data into ASCII text. Use URL encoding for query strings; use Base64 for embedding binary data in JSON or data URLs.
đ Related Tools
Pro Tip
When building APIs or web applications, always encode user input before including it in URLs. This prevents security vulnerabilities and ensures your URLs work correctly across all platforms.