URL Encoder & Decoder

Encode or decode URLs and URL components instantly with this free online URL Encoder & Decoder. Convert special characters, spaces, query parameters, and URL text safely in your browser.

URL Component encoding is best for query parameters, form values, and individual URL components. Full URL encoding preserves the main URL structure such as ://, /, ?, and &.
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Encoded Result

Enter a URL or text above to encode or decode it.

Input Characters 0
Output Characters 0
Method URL Component
✓ Your URL data is processed directly in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to our server.

Try an Example

Select an example below to see how URL encoding handles spaces and special characters.

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding, also called percent encoding, converts characters that may have a special meaning inside a URL into a safe encoded representation. For example, a space can be represented as %20.

URL encoding is especially useful when a URL contains spaces, symbols, non-English characters, or other characters that need to be represented safely in a URL.

Why Is URL Encoding Needed?

URLs use certain characters for specific purposes. Characters such as ?, &, =, #, and % can have structural meanings. Encoding helps distinguish data from URL syntax.

  • Query parameters and search URLs
  • Web forms and submitted values
  • API parameters
  • Dynamic links
  • Sharing URLs containing special characters
  • Web development and URL handling

What Is URL Decoding?

URL decoding reverses percent encoding and converts encoded values back into readable text. For example, hello%20world becomes hello world.

Our decoder uses the browser's native decoding functions and safely reports an error when an encoded value is malformed.

URL Encoding vs URL Decoding

URL encoding converts text into a URL-safe encoded representation, while URL decoding converts percent-encoded text back into its readable form.

URL Encoding

Example: Hello World → Hello%20World

URL Decoding

Example: Hello%20World → Hello World

URL Encoding vs URL Component Encoding

JavaScript provides both encodeURI() and encodeURIComponent(). They serve different purposes.

encodeURI() is intended for a complete URI and preserves characters that form part of the URL structure. encodeURIComponent() is more aggressive and is generally appropriate when encoding an individual value, such as a query parameter.

How URL Encoding Works

Percent encoding represents characters using a percent sign followed by hexadecimal digits. This allows characters that need special handling to be represented safely.

Space hello world → hello%20world
Ampersand & → %26
Equal Sign = → %3D
Question Mark ? → %3F

URL Encoding Examples

Example 1: Search URL

Original: https://example.com/search?q=hello world

Component encoded: https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dhello%20world

Example 2: Special Characters

Input: product name & price

Encoded: product%20name%20%26%20price

Example 3: Unicode Text

URL encoding can also represent Unicode characters, allowing international text to be safely included in URL components.

How to Use the URL Encoder & Decoder

1

Choose Encode URL or Decode URL.

2

Enter or paste your URL or text.

3

Select the appropriate encoding type.

4

Click the Encode or Decode button.

5

Copy your result and use it where needed.

Why Use NameUpWeb URL Encoder & Decoder?

Free to Use Encode and decode URL text without registration.
Browser-Based Your input is processed locally in your browser.
Fast Results Get encoding and decoding results instantly.
Easy Copy Copy the finished result with one click.
Special Characters Handle spaces, symbols, Unicode, and more.
Mobile Friendly Works comfortably on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Frequently Asked Questions

URL encoding converts characters that need special handling in URLs into percent-encoded values. A common example is converting a space into %20.
URL decoding converts percent-encoded text back into its readable representation.
A space is represented as %20 in percent encoding so that it can be safely represented inside a URL.
encodeURI() preserves characters that are important to the structure of a complete URL, while encodeURIComponent() encodes individual URL components more extensively.
No. URL encoding is designed to represent characters safely in URLs, while Base64 is a binary-to-text encoding method used for representing data in a different format.
Yes. URL Component encoding is particularly useful for encoding individual query parameter values containing spaces or special characters.
Yes. Switch to Decode URL, paste the percent-encoded text, and click Decode URL.
Yes. The NameUpWeb URL Encoder & Decoder is designed to be free to use without registration.
No. The tool processes your input directly in your browser and does not send the URL text to a server.
Yes. The tool is responsive and works on desktop computers, tablets, and mobile phones, including small screens.