A URL encoder/decoder is a free online tool that converts special characters in web addresses into percent-encoded form (for example, a space becomes %20) and converts them back again. Everything runs in your browser, so your links and query strings never leave your device.
How do I encode a URL online?
Paste your text or URL into the input box above and the encoded version appears instantly in the output box. Keep the mode on Encode and pick encodeURIComponent for form values or encodeURI for full links, then press Copy output to grab the result.
URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, replaces characters that are not allowed in a URL with a % sign followed by two hexadecimal digits. Spaces become %20, ampersands become %26, and so on. Encoding is required whenever you pass user input through query strings, build API requests, or create shareable links that contain special characters.
What is the difference between encodeURIComponent and encodeURI?
encodeURIComponent encodes almost everything except letters, digits, and a few safe symbols, which makes it right for single query-string values. encodeURI leaves structural characters like : / ? & = # untouched, so it is the right choice when encoding a complete URL.
A common mistake is using encodeURI on a value that contains an ampersand: the & survives and splits your query string in two. When in doubt, encode each value with encodeURIComponent and assemble the URL yourself. The decode side accepts output from either method.
Frequently asked questions
Is this URL encoder really free?
Yes. Encode and decode as many URLs as you like with no account, no daily limits, and no watermark. The tool runs entirely in your browser.
Why do spaces in URLs become %20?
URLs may only contain a limited set of characters. Percent-encoding replaces everything else with % plus its two-digit hex code, so a space becomes %20 and a non-ASCII character becomes a sequence of encoded bytes. This keeps links valid everywhere.
When should I use encodeURI instead of encodeURIComponent?
Use encodeURI when you already have a full, valid URL and only want to encode unsafe characters like spaces or unicode letters. Use encodeURIComponent when encoding a single value that will be inserted into a query string, because it also encodes & = ? and #.
Can I decode a URL that was encoded elsewhere?
Yes. Switch to Decode mode and paste any percent-encoded string. The tool will restore the original text and show a clear error message if the input is not valid encoded text.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser with JavaScript, so your URLs are never uploaded or stored anywhere.