URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URL strings
URL Encoding
Converts special characters to percent-encoded format for use in URLs.
Free Online URL Encoder/Decoder - Encode URLs Instantly
Welcome to DevToolVault's free online URL encoder and decoder, the essential tool for developers working with web URLs. Whether you're building query strings, encoding user input for safe URL transmission, or debugging encoded URLs, our browser-based tool handles percent encoding instantly while keeping your data completely private.
Understanding URL Encoding
URL encoding, also known as percent encoding, is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). URLs can only contain a limited set of characters from the ASCII character set. Characters outside this set, or characters with special meaning in URLs (like & or =), must be encoded to be safely included in URLs.
How to Use This URL Encoder
Simply paste your text into the input field and click "Encode" to convert special characters to their percent-encoded equivalents. To reverse the process, paste encoded text and click "Decode" to restore the original characters. The output can be copied with a single click for use in your applications.
Common URL Encoding Reference
When to Use URL Encoding
Use URL encoding whenever you're building URLs programmatically: constructing query strings with user input, encoding form data for GET requests, creating deep links with dynamic content, building API URLs with special characters, or handling internationalized URLs with non-ASCII characters. Proper encoding prevents broken URLs and security vulnerabilities.
URL Encoding Best Practices
Always encode user-provided data before including it in URLs. Don't double-encode already-encoded strings—decode first if unsure. Use encodeURIComponent for individual parameter values and encodeURI for complete URLs. Test your URLs across different browsers and servers to ensure compatibility.
Privacy-First URL Encoding
DevToolVault's URL encoder processes everything locally in your browser using JavaScript's native encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent functions. Your URLs, query parameters, and sensitive data never leave your device—no server uploads, no logs, no tracking. Perfect for encoding confidential API endpoints or sensitive parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding and why is it needed?
URL encoding (percent encoding) converts characters into a format that can be safely transmitted in URLs. Since URLs can only contain certain ASCII characters, special characters like spaces, &, =, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded to prevent parsing errors.
What characters need to be URL encoded?
Characters that must be encoded include: spaces (become %20 or +), reserved characters (&, =, ?, #, /, :), unsafe characters (<, >, ", {, }, |, \, ^, ~), and all non-ASCII characters like accented letters or emoji.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI() encodes a complete URL, preserving characters like :, /, ?, and & that are part of URL structure. encodeURIComponent() encodes individual parameter values, encoding ALL special characters. Our tool uses encodeURIComponent for complete encoding.
How do I encode spaces in URLs?
Spaces can be encoded as %20 (standard percent encoding) or + (form encoding). encodeURIComponent uses %20. The + encoding is specific to application/x-www-form-urlencoded format. Both are decoded back to spaces.
What is percent encoding?
Percent encoding represents characters as %HH where HH is the hexadecimal ASCII/UTF-8 value. For example, space (%20), ampersand (%26), equals (%3D). Multi-byte UTF-8 characters use multiple percent sequences.
How do I encode Unicode characters in URLs?
Unicode characters are first converted to UTF-8 bytes, then each byte is percent-encoded. For example, é becomes %C3%A9 (two bytes). Modern browsers handle this automatically, but server-side handling varies.
Is my data secure when encoding/decoding URLs?
Yes! Our URL encoder processes everything in your browser using JavaScript's native encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent functions. No data is sent to servers—your URLs, parameters, and sensitive values remain private.
When should I use URL encoding in my applications?
Always encode: query string parameter values, path segments with user input, form data sent via GET requests, any dynamic URL components. Don't double-encode already-encoded values, and decode when displaying to users.
Related Encoding Tools: Try our Base64 Encoder/Decoder, JSON Validator, and Regex Tester for more developer utilities.