URL encoder and decoder is an online tool which converts special characters into percent-encoded values and back. Use it whenever a URL, a query string or an API parameter contains characters which are not allowed there.
The usage of this online tool is super easy. Just place the text which should be converted into the input textarea - every line is processed on its own, so a whole list of values works as well. Choose Encode or Decode in more input options. Next, click on Encode or decode button. Finally, you can see the converted value in the output textarea.
How URL encoding works?
URL encoding, also called percent encoding, replaces every character which is not safe in a URL with a percent sign followed by its hexadecimal character code. A space becomes %20, an ampersand becomes %26 and a question mark becomes %3F. Note that this tool encodes strictly per RFC 3986 - slashes are encoded as %2F as well. Decoding reverses the process: every valid %XX sequence turns back into its original character.
Encoding is essential for query strings, redirects and API calls, where a single raw ampersand or space can break the whole request. When decoding, a plus sign stays a plus sign - only percent sequences are decoded.
Need a stronger protection than a URL? Take a look at the base64 encoder in the related tools below.