Free URL Encode and Decode
URL Encoder/Decoder: Simplify Web Compliance
Our free URL encoder/decoder tool ensures your URLs adhere to global URI standards. Convert special characters to percent-encoded format (e.g., ç becomes %C3%A7) or decode them back to readable text instantly.
Why Use URL Encoding?
- Safely transmitting form data via HTTP GET/POST.
- Embedding special characters (like emojis or non-English text) in URLs.
- Avoiding syntax conflicts with reserved characters like ?, #, or /.
Key Features
- UTF-8 Support: Accurately encode/decode non-ASCII characters (e.g., Chinese, Arabic).
- Live Preview: Instantly see results as you type.
- Security: Client-side processing with SSL encryption.
- Advanced Options: Choose line separators (Unix/Windows) or split encoded data into MIME-compliant chunks.
Allowed Characters in URLs
- Unreserved: A-Z a-z 0-9 - _ . ~ (Never require encoding).
- Reserved: ! * ' ( ) ; : @ & = + $ , / ? % # [ ] (Encode if not used for their reserved purpose).
Example:
The string François encodes to Fran%C3%A7ois in UTF-8, where ç is represented by %C3%A7.
Use Cases
- Prepare API request parameters.
- Debug encoded URLs in web applications.
- Ensure social media or email links render correctly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to encode a URL?
Paste your text into the input box, select 'Encode,' and the tool will replace special characters (like spaces or symbols) with their percent-encoded equivalents (e.g., %20 for a space). Use UTF-8 for non-ASCII characters.
How to decode URL parameters?
Paste the encoded URL into the input box, select 'Decode,' and the tool will convert percent-encoded characters (like %3A) back to their original symbols (e.g., :).
What does %21 mean in a URL?
%21 represents the exclamation mark (!) in percent-encoding. Reserved characters like ! are encoded to avoid conflicts with URL syntax.
What is data URL encoding?
Data URL encoding embeds files (like images) directly into URLs using Base64. While different from standard percent-encoding, our tool focuses on URI-safe encoding for web links.
Why do spaces become %20 in URLs?
Spaces are not allowed in URLs and are replaced with %20, their UTF-8 hexadecimal value. Some systems use '+', but %20 is the standard for URIs.
What’s the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI skips encoding characters like / and @ for full URLs, while encodeURIComponent encodes all reserved characters, ideal for URL parameters.
Which characters are safe in URLs?
Unreserved characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, -_.~) are always safe. Reserved characters (e.g., !*') may need encoding depending on their context in the URL.
Is this URL encoder/decoder secure?
Yes! All processing happens client-side (in your browser), and no data is stored on our servers. We use HTTPS to ensure secure transmission.
