Need to encode or decode a URL? Our free URL Encoder & Decoder makes it easy to convert URLs and text into URL-encoded format or decode encoded URLs back into readable text. Enter your URL or text, choose whether you want to encode or decode, and click Convert to get the result instantly. It is useful for web development, links, query parameters, APIs, and working with URLs that contain spaces or special characters.
What Is a URL Encoder & Decoder?
A URL Encoder & Decoder is a simple tool that converts URLs and text into a format that can safely be used in web addresses. It can also decode URL-encoded text and return it to its original form.
URLs can contain spaces and special characters that need to be represented in a specific way. URL encoding changes those characters into percent-encoded values so they can be transmitted as part of a URL.
What Is URL Encoding?
URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, replaces certain characters with a % followed by hexadecimal characters.
For example, a space can be represented as:
%20
So:
Hello World
becomes:
Hello%20World
Special characters such as :, /, ?, &, and = can also be encoded when they are part of a value.
How to Use the URL Encoder
Using the encoder is simple:
- Enter your URL or text.
- Select Encode URL.
- Click Convert.
- The encoded result will appear below the tool.
For example:
Hello World!
becomes:
Hello%20World!
How to Use the URL Decoder
To decode a URL-encoded value:
- Enter the encoded URL or text.
- Select Decode URL.
- Click Convert.
- The decoded result will appear below the tool.
For example:
Hello%20World%21
becomes:
Hello World!
URL Encoding Examples
| Original | Encoded |
|---|---|
Hello World | Hello%20World |
Hello World! | Hello%20World! |
hello@example.com | hello%40example.com |
red & blue | red%20%26%20blue |
10 + 20 | 10%20%2B%2020 |
Why Is URL Encoding Needed?
Not every character can be used directly in every part of a URL. Spaces and certain special characters can cause problems when a URL is processed by a browser, server, API, or web application.
URL encoding provides a standard way to represent these characters.
For example, a search value such as:
red shoes
can be represented as:
red%20shoes
This makes the value suitable for use in a URL.
URL Encoding vs URL Decoding
URL encoding changes regular text into URL-encoded text.
URL decoding does the opposite and converts encoded text back into its readable form.
For example:
Hello World → Hello%20World
and:
Hello%20World → Hello World
Common URL Encoded Characters
| Character | Encoded Value |
|---|---|
| Space | %20 |
! | %21 |
# | %23 |
$ | %24 |
% | %25 |
& | %26 |
+ | %2B |
/ | %2F |
: | %3A |
= | %3D |
? | %3F |
@ | %40 |
When Can You Use a URL Encoder?
A URL encoder can be useful when working with:
- Website URLs
- Search parameters
- Query strings
- API requests
- Web development
- Form data
- Special characters in URLs
- International or Unicode text
- Dynamic links
Does URL Encoding Encrypt Data?
No. URL encoding is not encryption.
It only changes characters into another representation that can be safely used in a URL. URL-encoded information can easily be decoded.
You should not use URL encoding to protect passwords, private information, or other sensitive data.
Does URL Encoding Support Hindi and Other Languages?
Yes. Modern URL encoding can represent Unicode characters, including Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
The browser’s built-in encoding functions used by this converter handle Unicode text automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does URL encoding do?
URL encoding converts characters that may not be suitable for direct use in a URL into percent-encoded representations.
What does %20 mean in a URL?
%20 represents a space character in URL percent-encoding.
Is URL encoding the same as encryption?
No. URL encoding is not a security method. It simply changes the representation of characters.
Can I decode an encoded URL?
Yes. Enter the encoded URL, select Decode URL, and click Convert.
Why are special characters encoded in URLs?
Certain characters have special meanings within URLs. Encoding allows them to be represented as data without being confused with URL syntax.
Can I encode a complete URL?
Yes, but keep in mind that encoding an entire URL is different from encoding an individual query parameter. In web development, individual parameter values are often encoded rather than encoding the complete URL structure.
Related Tools
You can also use other NexCalco technology tools for common web development tasks: