URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode URLs for safe transmission or decode percent-encoded URLs. Free — runs in your browser.
Output appears here...What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) is the process of converting special characters in a URL into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters. Characters outside this set, like spaces, ampersands, question marks and non-English letters, must be encoded.
For example, a space is encoded as %20, the @ symbol becomes %40 and the Indian rupee symbol ₹ becomes %E2%82%B9. When a browser receives an encoded URL, it automatically decodes it back to the original characters.
URL encoding is essential for developers building APIs, web forms, search queries and any system that passes data through URLs.
Common URL Encoded Characters
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to URL encode?▼
You need URL encoding when passing special characters through URL parameters, building APIs, submitting form data in GET requests, and creating shareable links with query strings.
What is the difference between %20 and + for spaces?▼
Both represent spaces in URLs but in different contexts. %20 is the standard URL encoding for space. The + sign is used specifically in query strings (form data). Our encoder uses %20 (encodeURIComponent standard).
Is this tool free to use?▼
Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no account, no limits.
Does it support Unicode characters?▼
Yes. Our encoder handles all Unicode characters including Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, emoji and other non-ASCII characters.