URL Encoder / Decoder

Free URL Encoder / Decoder Tool

URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts special characters into a format that can be transmitted over the internet. This tool lets you encode or decode URLs and query parameters instantly.

encodeURIComponent vs encodeURI

JavaScript provides two functions for URL encoding, and they behave differently:

• encodeURIComponent() — Encodes everything except: A-Z a-z 0-9 - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ). Use for query parameter values.
• encodeURI() — Preserves URL-structural characters like : / ? # [ ] @ ! $ & ' ( ) * + , ; =. Use for encoding a complete URL.

When to Use URL Encoding

• Passing values in query strings: ?name=John%20Doe
• Encoding special characters in API parameters
• Building URLs programmatically
• Encoding form data for HTTP POST
• Handling international characters (Unicode) in URLs

Code Examples

// JavaScript
const encoded = encodeURIComponent("hello world & more");
// → "hello%20world%20%26%20more"

const decoded = decodeURIComponent("hello%20world");
// → "hello world"

// Python
from urllib.parse import quote, unquote
encoded = quote("hello world & more")
decoded = unquote("hello%20world")

// PHP
$encoded = urlencode("hello world & more");
$decoded = urldecode("hello%20world");