URL Encoder / Decoder: Free Online Tool

Paste a URL or text to convert it to or from percent-encoding in one click. Encode special characters so a link is safe to use, or decode an %20-riddled URL back into readable text.

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Encoding scope

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding — also called percent-encoding — replaces characters that aren’t allowed in a URL with a % followed by their hex code. A space becomes %20, an ampersand becomes %26, and so on. It exists because URLs can only safely contain a limited set of characters, defined in RFC 3986. Encoding makes a value safe to drop into a link; decoding turns an encoded URL back into something a human can read.

  • Encode: hello world & more → hello%20world%20%26%20more
  • Decode: search%3Fq%3Dseo%20tools → search?q=seo tools

How to Use This Tool (Step by Step)

Step 1: Paste Your Input

Drop in a URL, a query value, or any text. You can paste a whole list — one item per line — to convert in bulk.

Step 2: Choose Encode or Decode

  • Encode — make text safe for use in a URL (convert spaces and special characters to percent-codes).
  • Decode — turn a percent-encoded string back into readable text.

Step 3: Convert and Copy

Click Convert, and the result appears instantly. Copy it with one click.

Tip: If you’re working with a list of links you pulled from somewhere, extract the URLs first so you have a clean set to encode or decode.

When Do You Need URL Encoding?

  • Building query strings — encode a search term or parameter value so characters like &, ?, and spaces don’t break the URL.
  • Reading encoded links — decode a long, %-filled tracking URL to see where it actually points.
  • Debugging — confirm a parameter is encoded correctly when an API call or redirect misbehaves.
  • Sharing links with special characters — encode non-ASCII or reserved characters so the link survives copy-paste across apps.
  • Cleaning up after a redirect — decode a wrapped URL to recover the real destination.

There are two scopes of encoding: encoding a full URL (which preserves structural characters like / and ?) and encoding a single component such as one parameter value (which encodes those too). The standard JavaScript equivalents are encodeURI and encodeURIComponent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between encoding a URL and encoding a component?

Encoding a full URL leaves structural characters (:, /, ?, #) intact so the link still works. Encoding a component encodes those too, which is what you want for a single value you’re inserting into a query string.

Can I encode or decode a whole list at once?

Yes. Paste one item per line and the tool converts each. Because everything runs locally, even large lists process instantly.

Why are there %20s in my URL?

%20 is the encoded form of a space. Decoding the URL turns those back into readable characters.

Is my input stored anywhere?

No. Processing happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, logged, or saved after you close the page.

Encode, Decode, Done

URL encoding and decoding is a quick conversion you shouldn’t have to do by hand. Paste your input, pick a direction, and copy the result. Working with a batch of links? Open them in bulk once they’re clean, or strip their tracking parameters first.

[Try the URL encoder / decoder above] — free, no login, nothing stored.