Encode or decode a URL
Pick a direction and a scope, then paste. The result updates as you type.
Result
https%3A%2F%2Fmeadow.desk%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dlate%20invoices%20%26%20terms
Everything stays in your browser. Nothing is sent or saved.
How to use the URL encoder and decoder
- Choose Encode or Decode.
- Choose Component for one piece, like a query value, or Full URI for a whole link.
- Paste your text into the input box.
- Copy the result. A broken % sequence shows an error instead of a guess.
How the URL encoder and decoder works
A URL can only carry a small set of characters as they are. Everything else is written as % and two hex digits for each UTF-8 byte: a space becomes %20 and é becomes %C3%A9. The tool uses the browser’s own two encoding functions, so it matches what web apps do.
Componentencodes every character with a meaning in a URL, like / ? & = # and spaces
Full URIleaves : / ? & = # alone, so the link still works
Decodeturns every %XX back into its character
The scope matters. Encode a whole link as a component and its :// becomes %3A%2F%2F, which breaks it. Encode a value as a full URI and an & inside it stays, splitting your value in two.
- Value
- late invoices & terms
- As a full URI
- late%20invoices%20&%20terms
- What the server reads
- q=late invoices, plus a stray terms
- As a component
- late%20invoices%20%26%20terms
The tool’s starting text is the whole search link. Switch it to Full URI and the & stays as it is. Encode only the value, as a component, and put it after q=.
URL encoder and decoder FAQ
When do I need to encode a URL?
Whenever text you don’t control goes into a link: a search term, a name, an email address, a page to return to. Encode each value as a component before you join it into the link, never the finished link as a whole.
Is a space + or %20?
Both, in different places. %20 works everywhere; + means a space only in a query string sent by an HTML form. This tool writes %20 and decodes + as a plain +, so swap + for a space first if your text came from a form.
How do I put a password in a connection URL?
Encode it as a component first. A strong password from the password generator has symbols like @, # and ? that mean something in a URL, and left raw they break a database or mail server link.
How long can a URL be?
Browsers handle very long ones, but some servers, proxies and email apps cut links off at around 2,000 characters. Encoding makes text longer (each é takes 6 characters), so check a long link with the word counter before you send it.
How do I use a hex color in a URL?
Encode the # as %23. A raw # starts the fragment, so ?color=#ff8a65 sends an empty color. Copy the hex from the color converter, then encode it: %23ff8a65.
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