URL Encoder / Decoder
The URL encoder/decoder percent-encodes strings with special characters or decodes them back to the original characters, both ways.
A space becomes %20, and the character '한' becomes %ED%95%9C in UTF-8.
How to use
- Enter text — paste the URL or string you want to encode or decode into the input box.
- Pick a direction — choose encode (encodeURIComponent), full URL encode (encodeURI) or decode.
- Copy result — the converted string appears in the output area; use the copy button to copy it.
Encoding methods compared
| Method | What it encodes | Characters kept | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encode (Component) | Most reserved characters | A–Z a–z 0–9 - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ) | Query parameter values |
| Full URL encode | Spaces, non-ASCII, etc. | : / ? # [ ] @ & = + and other structure characters | A whole address |
| Decode | %XX sequences → original characters | — | Reversing encoding |
Common encoding examples
| Character | Encoded |
|---|---|
| Space | %20 |
| & | %26 |
| = | %3D |
| ? | %3F |
| 한 (UTF-8) | %ED%95%9C |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is encodeURIComponent different from encodeURI?
encodeURIComponent encodes all reserved characters, as for a query parameter value, while encodeURI targets a whole URL and leaves address-structure characters like slash (/), colon (:) and question mark (?) untouched. Use encodeURIComponent for parameter values.
What is percent-encoding?
Percent-encoding replaces characters that cannot appear directly in a URL with a % followed by two hex digits. For example a space becomes %20, and the character '한' becomes %ED%95%9C in UTF-8.
Does decoding turn + into a space?
This tool's decoder converts + to a space first for application/x-www-form-urlencoded compatibility, then decodes. If you need to keep a literal + in a path, use the encoded form %2B.
Why does decoding fail?
Decoding fails when a % is not followed by two valid hex digits (for example %ZZ or a lone %). Check that the % signs in your encoded string are followed by valid hex.
Related tools & guides
- Case Converter — tidy the casing of a string before encoding.
- Word Counter — check the length of the encoded result.
- Remove Duplicate Lines — clean up a list of multiple URLs.
Last updated: 2026-06-25