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URL Encoder / Decoder

Percent-encode and decode URLs and query parameters instantly.

encodeURIComponent
decodeURIComponent
Full URL & component
100% private
Input
Output

Encode and decode URLs safely in your browser

A URL encoder converts characters that are unsafe or reserved in web addresses into percent-encoded sequences so browsers and servers interpret them correctly. Our free tool handles both directions — encoding and decoding — using the standard encodeURIComponent, decodeURIComponent, encodeURI and decodeURI functions built into every browser. That means results match exactly what your code and servers will produce.

The tool offers two modes to fit different needs. Component mode escapes almost every reserved character and is perfect for a single query value, path segment, or form field. Full-URL mode preserves the structural characters like slashes, colons, and question marks that make an address valid, so you can encode an entire link without breaking it. Choosing the right mode prevents both under-encoding, which corrupts data, and over-encoding, which double-escapes characters.

Everything runs locally, so private links, access tokens, and query strings never leave your machine. Decoding is resilient: if the input contains a malformed percent sequence the tool reports a clear error instead of failing silently, helping you spot and fix broken strings. Combined with instant conversion and one-click copying, it is a reliable everyday companion for developers, testers, and anyone wrangling web addresses.

Why use URL Encoder/Decoder?

Two encoding modes

Switch between component-level and full-URL encoding so you always escape exactly the right set of characters.

Standard-compliant output

Uses the browser's own encodeURIComponent and encodeURI functions, matching what your application code will produce.

Clear error handling

Malformed percent sequences during decoding trigger a helpful message instead of a silent or cryptic failure.

Private and instant

All processing is local, so tokens and links stay on your device and conversions happen the moment you type.

How to use URL Encoder/Decoder

  1. 1

    Choose a mode

    Select component mode for a single value or full-URL mode for an entire address.

  2. 2

    Pick encode or decode

    Decide whether you want to convert plain text into an encoded string or reverse an encoded one.

  3. 3

    Enter your text

    Paste the URL or value you want to process into the input field.

  4. 4

    Copy the result

    The converted output appears instantly; click copy to grab it for use in your code or browser.

Common use cases

Build query strings

Encode individual parameter values that contain spaces, symbols, or non-ASCII characters so your query strings stay valid.

Debug broken links

Decode a mangled URL to read its true contents and diagnose why a redirect, callback, or API call is failing.

Prepare API requests

Safely escape path segments and parameters before sending requests, avoiding 400 errors from malformed URLs.

Clean up shared links

Decode tracking-heavy or double-encoded links to inspect and simplify them before sharing.

Features at a glance

Frequently asked questions

What is URL encoding and why is it needed?

URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, replaces characters that are unsafe or reserved in a URL with a percent sign followed by hexadecimal digits. Spaces become %20, ampersands become %26, and so on. This ensures browsers and servers interpret the address correctly instead of confusing data with URL structure.

What is the difference between component and full-URL mode?

Component mode uses encodeURIComponent, which escapes almost every reserved character — ideal for a single query value or path segment. Full-URL mode uses encodeURI, which preserves characters like slashes and colons that make up a valid URL structure, so you can safely encode an entire address without breaking it.

Is my URL data sent to a server when I use this tool?

No. All encoding and decoding runs locally in your browser using the built-in encodeURIComponent, decodeURIComponent, encodeURI and decodeURI functions. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored, so even private links and tokens stay entirely on your device.

Why does decoding sometimes throw an error?

Decoding fails when the input contains a malformed percent sequence — for example a lone % not followed by two valid hex digits. The tool detects this and shows a clear error message so you can correct the string. Re-encoding your original text first usually resolves the problem.

When should I encode a URL versus leave it as-is?

Encode any value you insert into a query string, path, or fragment that may contain spaces, symbols, or non-ASCII characters. Leave already-valid URLs untouched unless a specific component needs escaping. Over-encoding a full URL can double-escape characters and break the link.

Your privacy matters

URL Encoder/Decoder runs entirely in your web browser. Your files, text, and data are never uploaded to any server, never stored, and never seen by us or any third party. This client-side architecture means you can safely process confidential business documents, personal records, and proprietary data without privacy concerns.

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