What is URL encoding and why is it important?

URL encoding converts special characters to a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Characters like spaces, ampersands, and non-ASCII characters are converted to %XX format to prevent misinterpretation by web servers and browsers.

When should I use URL encoding?

Use URL encoding when sending data through URLs, query parameters, form submissions, or API calls. It's essential for web development, especially when dealing with user input that may contain special characters.

What's the difference between encodeURI() and encodeURIComponent()?

encodeURI() is used for encoding entire URLs, while encodeURIComponent() is used for encoding individual components like query parameters. This tool uses encodeURIComponent() for maximum safety.

Can this tool handle Unicode characters?

Yes, the tool properly handles Unicode characters by converting them to their UTF-8 byte sequences and then percent-encoding them, ensuring compatibility across different systems and browsers.

Is URL decoding always safe?

URL decoding is generally safe for displaying data, but always validate and sanitize decoded content before using it in security-sensitive operations to prevent injection attacks.

What characters get encoded?

Characters that get encoded include spaces, special symbols (!@#$%^&*()), non-ASCII characters, and reserved characters used in URLs. Each character is converted to %XX format where XX is the hexadecimal representation.

URL Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode URL strings for web use with support for special characters, spaces, and international characters. Perfect for web development, form handling, and API integrations with comprehensive encoding support.

url

encode

decode

Share this tool:

Quick Presets

Common text samples for quick encoding

Input

Enter plain text to convert to URL-safe format

Plain Text

0 characters

How it works: URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts characters that are not allowed in URLs into a % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, and & becomes %26. Uses encodeURIComponent() which encodes all characters except A–Z, a–z, 0–9, -, _, ., !, ~, *, ', (, ).

Continue Your Code Journey

More tools you might find useful

Base64 Encoder/Decoder

Encode or decode Base64 text instantly

CSS Units Converter

Transform between CSS length units precisely

CSV to JSON Converter

Transform CSV data into JSON structures

HTML Formatter

Beautify and indent HTML code properly

🌈 Browse More Tools

All Code Tools All Tools

Complete Guide: URL Encoder/Decoder

Everything you need to know about using URL Encoder/Decoder effectively

Related Tools

More tools you might find useful

PX to Inches Converter

Convert pixels to inches accurately

inches

css

PX to MM Converter

Transform pixels to millimeters precisely

css

PX to Picas Converter

Convert pixels to picas for typography

picas

PX to Points Converter

Change pixels to points for print design

points

PX to VMIN Converter

Convert pixels to viewport minimum units

vmin

css

PX to Percent Converter

Transform pixels to percentages for fluid layouts

percent

css

SQL Formatter

Format and beautify SQL queries with proper indentation

sql

format

beautify

cURL to Fetch Converter

Convert cURL commands to JavaScript Fetch API code instantly

curl

fetch

api

Related Collections

Collections that include this tool - discover more tools in these curated collections

Encoding & Decoding Tools

Encode and decode text in multiple formats. Base64, URL encoding, binary, hexadecimal, and Unicode conversions for web development, APIs, and data transmission.

View collection