URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode URLs with percent-encoding

Input
Result
Enter data to validate

Common Use Cases

  • Encoding URL query parameters
  • Preparing data for API requests
  • Web development and HTTP communications
  • Debugging URL-related issues
  • Safe data transfer in URLs

About URL Encoder/Decoder

The URL Encoder/Decoder provides instant conversion between plain text and URL-safe format using percent-encoding (RFC 3986). It ensures special characters are properly encoded for safe transmission in URLs and can decode URL-encoded strings back to readable text.

Encode text to URL-safe format or decode URL-encoded strings with real-time conversion and detailed statistics. The tool handles all special characters including spaces, symbols, and international characters, providing comprehensive encoding and decoding capabilities with instant feedback.

Essential for web developers working with query parameters, API integrations, URL construction, form data submission, and debugging URL-related issues. Perfect for encoding search queries, user input data, and any content that needs to be safely transmitted via URLs.

Instant bidirectional conversion with RFC 3986 compliance ensures maximum compatibility across all web platforms and browsers. The tool provides detailed statistics about encoding transformations, helping developers understand how characters are converted and troubleshoot URL-related problems efficiently.

Key Features

  • Bidirectional encoding and decoding
  • RFC 3986 compliant percent-encoding
  • Real-time conversion with instant feedback
  • Detailed encoding statistics and metrics
  • Support for all special characters and symbols
  • International character support (UTF-8)
  • One-click copy to clipboard
  • Example templates for quick testing

URL Encoder/Decoder Frequently Asked Questions

What is URL encoding (percent-encoding)?

URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, converts special characters into a format safe for URLs. Characters are replaced with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 and an at symbol becomes %40. This ensures URLs can be transmitted correctly across the internet.

When should I use URL encoding?

Use URL encoding when including user input, search queries, or special characters in URLs. This is essential for query parameters, form submissions, API requests, and any time data needs to be safely transmitted via URL. Without proper encoding, special characters can break URLs or cause security issues.

What is the difference between encoding and decoding?

Encoding converts readable text into URL-safe format (e.g., hello world to hello%20world). Decoding does the reverse, converting URL-encoded strings back to readable text. Use encoding when preparing data for URLs, and decoding when interpreting URL parameters.

Which characters need to be encoded?

Reserved characters and spaces always need encoding in URLs. This includes symbols like colon, slash, question mark, hash, brackets, at sign, exclamation, dollar, ampersand, asterisk, plus, comma, semicolon, and equals. Additionally, non-ASCII characters must be encoded. The encoder follows RFC 3986 standards to ensure all necessary characters are properly converted.

Is URL encoding the same as HTML encoding?

No, they are different. URL encoding uses percent-encoding (%20 for space) for safe URL transmission. HTML encoding uses entity references (like & for &) to display special characters in HTML. Use URL encoding for URLs and HTML encoding for displaying content in web pages.

Encoding Best Practices

  • Always encode user input before adding to URLs
  • Decode URL parameters received from requests
  • Don't double-encode - check if text is already encoded
  • Use the tool to debug URL-related errors in applications
  • Remember that '+' can represent space in some contexts
  • Test encoded URLs before using in production

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