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URL Encoder and Decoder

Percent-encode text for use in URLs and query strings, or decode %20-style escapes back into readable text. Handles accents and emoji (UTF-8).

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How to use it

  1. Choose Encode or Decode.
  2. Paste your text or URL.
  3. Choose “component” encoding for a single parameter value, or “full URL” to keep characters like / and ? intact.

Examples

Encoding a search term

“café & bar” encodes to caf%C3%A9%20%26%20bar as a query value — the é becomes two UTF-8 bytes and & is escaped so it isn't read as a separator.

Decoding a link

https://example.org/?q=hello%20world decodes to https://example.org/?q=hello world.

Component vs full URL encoding

URLs reserve some characters for structure: / separates path segments, ? starts the query, & separates parameters. Component encoding (encodeURIComponent) escapes those too, which is what you want for a single value. Full-URL encoding (encodeURI) leaves them alone so an entire address stays valid.

Non-ASCII characters are converted to UTF-8 bytes and each byte is written as %XX. Decoding reverses this; a malformed sequence such as a lone % is reported as an error.

Frequently asked questions

Should spaces be %20 or +?

In paths, use %20. In HTML form-encoded query strings, + also means a space. This tool produces %20, which works everywhere, and the decoder optionally treats + as a space.

Why does decoding fail?

A % must be followed by two hex digits forming valid UTF-8. Text like “100%” isn't valid encoded data; encode it first to get 100%25.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No, encoding and decoding run in your browser.

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More in Text · Last reviewed October 2026