URL Encoder & Decoder: how to use it
Percent-encode text for safe use in web addresses and query strings, or decode %20 style text back to readable form.
Web addresses can contain only a limited set of characters. Spaces, ampersands, question marks, non-English letters and many symbols must be replaced with percent codes such as %20 for a space before they can travel safely inside a link. This tool performs that conversion in either direction.
It treats your input as a URL component, which is what you want for a single value such as a search term or a parameter.
How to use the URL Encoder & Decoder
- Paste a value or fragment into Text or URL component.
- Press Encode component to convert special characters into percent codes.
- Press Decode component to turn percent codes back into readable text.
- Press Copy result to copy the output.
Tips for better results
- Encode each parameter value separately and then join them with & and =. Encoding a whole finished URL would also encode the slashes and colons that must stay.
- A space becomes %20 here. Some forms use a plus sign for spaces, which is a separate convention.
- If decoding shows an error, the text contains a % that is not followed by two valid hexadecimal digits.
- Non-English text such as Tamil is encoded as UTF-8 byte sequences, which are long but correct.
Example
The phrase "tea & coffee" becomes tea%20%26%20coffee. Without encoding, the ampersand would be read as the start of a new parameter and the query would break.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a decoded value still contain plus signs?
Plus signs meaning space belong to form encoding. This tool decodes percent codes only.
Does encoding hide the content?
No. It is easily reversed and provides no security.
Is my text uploaded?
No.
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