URL Encoder / Decoder

Safely encode URLs for web requests or decode them back to readable text.

Why Encode URLs?

URL encoding converts characters into a format that can be transmitted securely over the internet. URLs can only be sent over the internet using the ASCII character set. Since URLs often contain characters outside the ASCII set, the URL has to be converted into a valid ASCII format. URL encoding replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to encode URLs?
URLs can only be sent over the internet using the standard ASCII character set. URL encoding translates unsafe characters (like spaces, ampersands, or emojis) into a safe, web-compliant format (like %20 for space).
What is the difference between URL encode and URI encode?
A URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is the broader classification. Standard URL encoding converts all special characters, while URI encoding might preserve semantic characters like ?, &, and = depending on the implementation.
Does it encode spaces as %20 or +?
This tool natively encodes spaces as %20, which is the modern standard for RFC 3986 compliance, ensuring maximum compatibility across web servers.
Is it safe to put passwords in URL parameters?
No. Even if they are URL encoded, parameters are saved in browser history, proxy logs, and server access logs. Sensitive data should always be sent via HTTPS POST bodies.