Free URL Encoder & Decoder Tool Online
Encode or decode URLs and query strings with instant percent-encoding support. Perfect for web development, APIs, and debugging.
IN: Text or URL · OUT: Encoded or decoded text · RUNS: 100% in your browser
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 'component mode' and normal encoding?+
Component mode uses encodeURIComponent/decodeURIComponent, which also encodes characters like &, ?, and = — necessary when encoding a value that will sit inside a query string parameter. Normal mode uses encodeURI, which leaves those characters alone since they're valid in a full URL.
Why does my URL look different after encoding?+
Characters that aren't safe in a URL (spaces, accented letters, symbols like & or #) get replaced with a percent sign followed by their hex byte value, such as %20 for a space, so the URL can be transmitted correctly.
When would I need to decode a URL?+
Decoding is useful when reading server logs, debugging a query string a browser or API encoded, or making a percent-encoded URL readable again to understand what value it actually contains.
Does this handle non-ASCII characters like emoji or accents?+
Yes, both encode and decode correctly handle full UTF-8 text, including accented characters, non-Latin scripts, and emoji.
Is my URL or text sent to a server?+
No, encoding and decoding both run entirely in your browser using JavaScript's built-in encodeURIComponent/decodeURIComponent functions.
Why do I get an error when decoding?+
Decoding fails if the input contains a malformed percent sequence (like a lone % not followed by two valid hex digits), which usually means the text wasn't actually URL-encoded, or was double-encoded and needs decoding twice.