URL Encoder

URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, replaces characters that are unsafe in a web address with a % sign and two hexadecimal digits, so a space becomes %20 and é becomes %C3%A9. This free URL encoder and decoder converts text as you type, supports encodeURIComponent and encodeURI modes, treats + as a space for form data and lists query parameters.

Free, no signup. Runs entirely in your browser; files and text are not uploaded.

How to use the URL Encoder

  1. Choose Encode or Decode.
  2. Paste your text, URL or encoded string into the input box.
  3. When encoding, pick Component for a single query value or Full URL to keep :/?#&= intact.
  4. Tick the + option if you are working with HTML form data.
  5. Copy the result, or click Swap to convert it back.

Features

  • Real-time encoding and decoding as you type
  • encodeURIComponent and encodeURI modes
  • Optional + for spaces (application/x-www-form-urlencoded)
  • UTF-8 support for accents, non-Latin scripts and emoji
  • Points to the malformed percent-escape when decoding fails
  • Decoded query-parameter table for URLs and query strings
  • Swap and copy buttons

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

encodeURIComponent encodes every reserved character, including / ? & = and #, so use it for a single query value or path segment. encodeURI leaves those characters alone so a complete URL keeps working.

Should spaces be encoded as %20 or +?

In URL paths and most APIs a space is %20. In HTML form submissions (application/x-www-form-urlencoded) and many query strings a space is written as +. Use the + option for form data.

Why does decoding fail with a malformed URI error?

A % must be followed by two hexadecimal digits, and the escapes must form valid UTF-8. A lone % or a truncated sequence such as %E2%82 causes the error; encode a literal percent sign as %25.

Is URL encoding the same as Base64?

No. URL encoding only escapes unsafe characters and leaves letters and digits readable. Base64 re-encodes all of the data into a different alphabet.

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Built and reviewed by Naqash Thaheem, Technical Project Manager. Last reviewed 2026-09-24.