Free URL encoder and decoder
This free online URL encoder and decoder converts text to and from percent-encoding — the format URLs use to safely carry special characters. Encode a string so spaces, ampersands, and non-ASCII characters travel through a query string intact, or decode a percent-encoded URL back into plain, readable text.
How to encode or decode a URL
- Paste a URL or string into the input box above.
- Click Encode URL to percent-encode it, or Decode URL to convert an encoded string back to plain text.
- Click Copy Output to grab the result for your code, browser, or API call.
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding — also called percent-encoding — replaces characters that are not safe in a URL with a % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20 and an ampersand becomes %26. This keeps query parameters and path segments from breaking as browsers and servers pass them around.
Common uses
- Building query strings — safely pass search terms and parameters.
- Debugging redirects and callbacks — decode an encoded
return_urlto read it. - Fixing broken links — spot characters that were double-encoded or missed.
Processed privately in your browser
All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded or stored. For other encoding formats, try our Base64 encoder and decoder, and once your link is clean, turn it into a scannable code with the QR code generator.
Need a custom tool or internal utility built for your team? Get in touch with SR Infobiz.