Encode text for use in URLs or decode URL-encoded strings. Uses encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent. Copy, swap, and clear. All processing happens in your browser.
URL encoding converts special characters into percent-encoded format so they can be safely used in URLs and query strings. Characters like spaces, ampersands (&), equals (=), and non-ASCII characters must be encoded when passed as URL parameters or path segments.
Use encoding when building query strings (e.g., ?q=hello+world), constructing links with dynamic parameters, or passing data in redirect URLs. Use decoding when reading URL parameters in your application or debugging encoded values.
encodeURI encodes a full URI but preserves characters like :, /, ?, and & that are part of URL structure. encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters, digits, and a few safe characters. This tool uses encodeURIComponent, which is the correct choice for encoding individual parameter values.
No. All encoding and decoding happens in your browser using JavaScript's built-in functions. Nothing is transmitted over the network. You can safely encode API keys, tokens, or sensitive parameters.
URLs have a strict character set defined by RFC 3986. Characters outside this set — including spaces, &, =, and Unicode — must be percent-encoded to avoid breaking URL parsing. Proper encoding prevents bugs in REST APIs, webhook integrations, and redirect flows. For more encoding tools, try our Base64 Encoder/Decoder. Need help building robust APIs? Explore our web development services.