Encode and decode URLs safely
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters, so spaces, accents, ampersands, and symbols have to be percent-encoded — a space becomes %20, for example. This matters whenever you build a link by hand or pass data in a query string: unencoded characters break the URL or get misread. This tool encodes text for safe use in a URL and decodes it back to readable form.
How to use it
- Paste a URL or a value you want to put in one.
- Choose encode or decode.
- Copy the result into your link or code.
When you need it
- Putting a search term or redirect target into a query parameter.
- Reading an encoded link to see what it actually points to.
- Debugging why a link with special characters isn't working.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between encoding a whole URL and a single value? Encoding one parameter escapes characters like & and = that would otherwise be read as structure; encoding a whole URL leaves those in place. Encode individual values, not the entire address.
Is my data uploaded? No — encoding and decoding run in your browser.