Why do URLs need to be encoded?

URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters. Special characters like spaces, ampersands, and non-ASCII characters must be percent-encoded to be safely transmitted in URLs.

What characters does URL encoding convert?

URL encoding converts special characters to percent-encoded format (e.g., space becomes %20, & becomes %26). Letters, digits, and some symbols like hyphens remain unchanged.

Is this URL encoder free to use?

Yes, this URL encoder/decoder is completely free with no limits. All processing happens in your browser for maximum privacy.

URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode or decode URLs and query parameters online.

Input

How to Use

Encode or decode URLs and query parameters online.

1Paste the URL or text you want to encode/decode.
2Choose 'Encode' to convert special characters or 'Decode' to revert.
3See the result update in real-time.
4Copy the encoded URL for use in your application.

Key Features

Encode spaces, ampersands, and Unicode characters
Decode percent-encoded URLs instantly
Essential for API development and web scraping
Handles full URLs and individual query parameters

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

URL Encoding Explained — When and Why You Need It