URL Encode and Decode
Encode strings to be URL-safe or decode them back to human-readable format.
How to Use the URL Encoder/Decoder
This tool helps you encode and decode strings for use in URLs. URLs can only contain a specific set of characters, so special characters (like spaces, `+`, or `&`) must be converted into a percent-encoded format (`%XX`).
- Enter Your String: Paste your full URL or just a piece of text into the text area.
- Encode: Click "Encode" to convert special characters into their URL-safe, percent-encoded equivalents (e.g., a space becomes `%20`).
- Decode: Click "Decode" to convert a percent-encoded string back into its human-readable form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why do URLs need to be encoded?
A: The URL standard only allows for a limited set of characters. Reserved characters like `?`, `=`, `&`, and `#` have special meanings. If you want to include these characters as part of a data value (e.g., in a query parameter), they must be encoded to avoid being misinterpreted by the browser or server.
Q: What is percent-encoding?
A: Percent-encoding, also known as URL encoding, is the mechanism for encoding information in a URL. It works by replacing an unsafe ASCII character with a "%" immediately followed by two hexadecimal digits that represent the character's value.