How to use the URL Encoder/Decoder
- Choose Encode or Decode.
- Choose component (for query values) or full URL.
- Paste your text.
- Copy the result.
Example
| Input | name=Zoë & co |
|---|---|
| Result | name%3DZo%C3%AB%20%26%20co |
What URL encoding does
Web addresses can only contain a limited set of characters. Everything else, including spaces, accents, emoji and characters that have a special meaning in a URL, is replaced with a percent sign and two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 and “é” becomes %C3%A9. Decoding reverses the process.
Component or full URL?
- Component (query values): encodes almost everything, including “/”, “?”, “&”, “=”, “#” and “:”. Use it for a single piece, such as a search term or a parameter value that goes inside a URL.
- Full URL: leaves the characters that give a URL its structure alone, and encodes only what is unsafe, such as spaces and accents. Use it for an entire address.
Picking the wrong one is the most common mistake. Encoding a full URL as a component turns “https://” into “https%3A%2F%2F”, which is no longer a clickable link.
Decoding options
“Decode + as space” is on by default. In form data and many query strings a plus sign stands for a space, so turn it off only if your text contains literal plus signs, as in phone numbers or “C++”.
URL breakdown
When the text is a full web address, the tool also splits it into its protocol, host, port, path and fragment and lists the query parameters with their decoded values. It is a quick way to read a long tracking link or to check what a redirect contains.
Common errors
- “Malformed percent-encoding”: a “%” sign is not followed by two hex digits. This happens when text with a literal percent sign is decoded, for example “100%”.
- Double encoding: if you see %2520 in a URL, the text was encoded twice. Decode it once to get back to %20.
Frequently asked questions
Can it break a URL into parts?
Yes. When the input or result is a full web address, the tool shows its protocol, host, path, fragment and a table of decoded query parameters.
What is the difference between component and full URL encoding?
Component encoding escapes every reserved character (like / ? & =) and is right for query values. Full URL encoding keeps the URL structure intact and only escapes unsafe characters.
Why do spaces become %20 or +?
In URLs a space is encoded as %20. In HTML form data it is often encoded as “+”. Tick “Decode + as space” when decoding form data.
Does URL encoding hide my data?
No. It only makes text safe to put in an address. Anyone can decode it, so do not rely on it for privacy.
What is the difference between %20 and a plus sign?
Both can stand for a space. %20 is valid everywhere in a URL, while “+” means a space only in form-style query strings.