What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). Special characters, spaces, and non-ASCII characters are converted into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet using only ASCII characters.
URLs can only contain certain characters. When you need to include characters that aren't allowed (like spaces, symbols, or special characters), they must be encoded. For example, a space becomes %20, and the @ symbol becomes %40. URL decoding reverses this process, converting encoded strings back to their original form.
Why Encode or Decode URLs?
- Web Development: Properly encode URLs for API requests, form submissions, or dynamic links
- Query Parameters: Encode values in URL query strings to ensure special characters are handled correctly
- Email Links: Encode mailto: links or URLs in email templates
- Debugging: Decode encoded URLs to understand what information they contain
- Data Processing: Convert between human-readable and encoded formats for data pipelines
Common URL Encoding Examples
- Space: "hello world" → "hello%20world"
- @ Symbol: "user@example.com" → "user%40example.com"
- Special Characters: "price=$100" → "price%3D%24100"
- Unicode: "café" → "caf%C3%A9"
- Multiple Spaces: "hello world" → "hello%20%20world"
How Our URL Encoder/Decoder Works
Our tool uses JavaScript's built-in encoding/decoding functions:
- Encoding: Uses
encodeURIComponent()to convert special characters to percent-encoded format - Decoding: Uses
decodeURIComponent()to convert encoded strings back to normal text - Instant Processing: Encoding and decoding happen immediately when you click the respective buttons
Best Practices
- Encode query parameter values: Always encode values in URL query strings, not the entire URL
- Encode user input: Always encode user-provided data before using it in URLs
- Handle errors: Invalid encoded strings may cause decoding errors—always handle exceptions
- Don't double-encode: Avoid encoding already-encoded strings unless necessary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this URL encoder/decoder free?
Yes, our URL encoder and decoder is completely free to use. Encode or decode unlimited URLs without any restrictions, registration, or fees.
What's the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURIComponent() (which we use) encodes special characters including /, ?, #, etc., making it ideal for encoding query parameter values. encodeURI() preserves these characters, making it better for encoding entire URLs.
Can I encode entire URLs?
Our tool uses encodeURIComponent(), which is designed for encoding URL components (like query parameter values), not entire URLs. For full URLs, encode only the parts that need encoding (like query values) while keeping the URL structure intact.
What happens if I try to decode invalid text?
If you try to decode text that isn't properly encoded, you'll get an error message. Our tool handles this gracefully by showing an error alert, helping you identify invalid encoded strings.
Does this work with Unicode characters?
Yes, our encoder/decoder properly handles Unicode characters, converting them to percent-encoded UTF-8 format. This means characters from any language can be safely encoded and decoded.