Enter Text to Encode or Decode:



What is URL Encoding? URL Encoding replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, space becomes "%20".

Tip: Use decoding to convert encoded URLs back to readable text.

Free URL Encoder Decoder – Encode and Decode URLs Instantly

Our URL Encoder Decoder is a free online tool that lets you quickly encode or decode any URL. Whether you’re a developer, SEO specialist, or just someone who needs to convert special characters, this tool makes it simple to transform links for safe and proper use across the web.

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding, also known as percent encoding, is a process of converting characters into a format that can be transmitted over the internet. According to MDN Web Docs, encoding replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, spaces are converted to %20, and symbols like "@" become %40.

Why You Need URL Encoding and Decoding

When you share links or submit form data, URLs must comply with standard formats. Encoding ensures your links remain valid by escaping special characters that could break a URL. Decoding converts encoded URLs back into their readable form, making it easy to understand or reuse them.

For example:

  • Encoded: https%3A%2F%2Fwww.example.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dseo%2520tools
  • Decoded: https://www.example.com/search?q=seo%20tools

How to Use This Free URL Encoder Decoder

  1. Paste your URL into the input box above.
  2. Choose Encode or Decode.
  3. Click the button to see your result instantly.
  4. Copy the output to use in your projects or documentation.

For best practices, visit the W3Schools URL Encoding Reference.

Features of This URL Encoding Tool

  • ✅ Instantly encodes or decodes any URL
  • ✅ Supports all special characters and reserved symbols
  • ✅ 100% free with no registration required
  • ✅ Works on desktop and mobile devices
  • ✅ Fast, accurate, and secure

Benefits of Using a URL Encoder Decoder

This URL converter helps you:

  • Prevent errors when sharing or storing links
  • Ensure URLs are safe for APIs, forms, and databases
  • Understand encoded URLs you receive from others
  • Improve SEO by keeping links clean and functional
  • Save time manually escaping characters

To improve your website further, try our Meta Tag Generator and Open Graph Generator.

Common Characters That Need Encoding

Many characters must be encoded to avoid issues in URLs, including:

  • Spaces: %20
  • Quotation marks: %22
  • Ampersands: %26
  • Plus signs: %2B
  • Question marks: %3F

This tool automatically converts them so you don’t have to memorize codes.

How URL Encoding Affects SEO and User Experience

Clean, properly encoded URLs help search engines understand your pages and improve usability. According to Ahrefs, descriptive, error-free URLs can increase trust and click-through rates. Encoding ensures links don’t break when shared on social media or used in emails.

When to Use a URL Encoder Decoder

You should encode or decode URLs when you:

  • Create links for forms, APIs, or databases
  • Share URLs that contain special characters
  • Debug issues with broken or unreadable links
  • Optimize URLs for SEO and readability

Regularly checking your URLs keeps your website professional and error-free.

How Developers Use URL Encoding

URL encoding and decoding are essential in web development workflows. Developers often encode URLs to safely pass query parameters between pages or APIs. For example, when a user submits a form with special characters like spaces, symbols, or Unicode, encoding ensures the data reaches the server without errors. Encoded URLs also help prevent security issues such as injection attacks. Similarly, decoding is crucial for debugging and displaying user-friendly URLs in reports or logs. This tool streamlines the process by giving you instant results, saving time on manual encoding and reducing the risk of mistakes. Whether you’re building e-commerce sites, creating marketing links, or working on complex web applications, this free encoder/decoder is an indispensable resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this URL encoder free?

Yes! Our tool is 100% free and requires no signup.

Does URL encoding change the destination of a link?

No, it only changes the way the URL is formatted so it can be transmitted safely.

Can this tool handle long URLs?

Absolutely. You can encode or decode URLs of any length.

Encode or Decode URLs Instantly

Ready to clean up your links and avoid errors? Use the URL Encoder/Decoder above to instantly convert your URLs with one click.

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