URL Encode/Decode

What is URL encoding/decoding and when to use it

URL encoding (or percent-encoding) converts special characters into a safe sequence of % followed by a hexadecimal code, so a URL can be transmitted without ambiguity. Decoding does the reverse, returning the original text.

URLs only accept a limited set of characters. Spaces, accents, and symbols like & or # have special meaning or are simply not allowed. Encoding replaces each with %XX, where XX is the hexadecimal value of the character.

This is essential when building links with query strings: a space becomes %20, an & inside a value becomes %26, and an accent becomes the percent-encoded UTF-8 sequence. Without this, the URL would be misinterpreted by the server.

Decoding is used when you receive an encoded URL and want to read the readable value. It is common in log analysis, API debugging, and extracting parameters from links.

Examples

• Encode: "Hello world" → Hello%20world
• Decode: https://site.com/search?q=low%20price → "low price"

Limitations

• There are two variants: encodeURIComponent encodes almost everything, while encodeURI preserves structural characters. Use the right variant for the context.
• Encoding is not encryption — anyone can reverse the result.

How to use URL encoding/decoding

1. 1Paste the text or URL into the main field.
2. 2Choose Encode or Decode.
3. 3Click Process and copy the result.

Frequently asked questions