URL Encode Decode

URL Encode Decode turns text into percent-encoded form and back, as you type, using either the whole-URL rules of encodeURI or the component rules of encodeURIComponent. Developers use it to build query strings, read a link copied from a log, or find out why an address breaks. A clear message points to any bad percent sequence in text you decode.

How to use

1. Choose Encode or Decode under Action.
2. Choose how to treat the text. Whole URL (encodeURI) is for a full address, and Component (encodeURIComponent) is for one piece, such as a query value or a path segment.
3. Type or paste the text. The result updates on every change, and each action keeps its own text, so you can switch back and forth.
4. Press Copy result to put the result on your clipboard. If decoding fails, a message under the text box says where and why.

Examples

Encoding https://example.com/search?q=café & tea as a whole URL gives https://example.com/search?q=caf%C3%A9%20&%20tea. The ?, = and & are kept so the address still works, while the space and the accented letter are encoded.

Encoding café & tea as a component gives caf%C3%A9%20%26%20tea, because the & is now encoded too. Decoding that same text as a whole URL gives café %26 tea, since %26 stands for a reserved character, but decoding it as a component gives café & tea.

Limits

Whole URL encoding leaves letters, digits and - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ) ; / ? : @ & = + $ , # as they are. Component encoding leaves only letters, digits and - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ). Both encode a space as %20, never as a plus sign, and a plus sign is never decoded to a space. Both encode the percent sign itself, so encoding already encoded text encodes it twice. Decoding a whole URL keeps %3B %2F %3F %3A %40 %26 %3D %2B %24 %2C %23 encoded. Text is limited to 1,000,000 characters.

FAQ

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

encodeURI keeps the characters that give a URL its structure, such as the slash, the question mark and the ampersand. encodeURIComponent encodes them as well, so use it for a value that is going inside a URL.

Why does decoding say a percent sign is not followed by two hex digits?

Every percent sign in encoded text must be followed by two hexadecimal digits, like %20. A bare percent sign, as in 50% off, is not valid, so write it as %25 first.

Does a plus sign mean a space?

Not here. In the query strings of HTML forms a plus sign is read as a space, but percent-encoding itself uses %20. This tool never changes a plus sign when decoding, so replace it yourself if you need that.

Is my text uploaded?

No. Encoding and decoding run in this page on your device, and the text is never sent anywhere.