What is URL Encode/Decode?
Convert text into a form that is safe inside a URL, or decode a percent-encoded address back into something readable. Essential when building query strings that contain spaces, ampersands, or non-English characters.
How to use URL Encode/Decode
- Paste your text or encoded URL into the box.
- Click “Encode →” to percent-encode it, or “← Decode” to turn it back into plain text.
- Copy the result into your link or code.
Why use this tool?
Prevents broken links
Unencoded spaces and & characters silently truncate URLs and break query parameters. Encoding first avoids the whole class of bug.
Handles + as a space when decoding
Query strings often encode spaces as +. Decoding accounts for this, so you get the text you actually expected.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURIComponent — which this uses — escapes characters like & = ? and /, making it correct for individual parameter values. encodeURI leaves them intact, which is only appropriate for a whole URL.
Why do spaces become %20?
URLs cannot contain literal spaces, so each is replaced by its hex code, %20. In query strings a + is also accepted as a space.