URL Encoder & Decoder
Encode and decode URL strings online for free
What is URL Encoder & Decoder?
The URL Encoder & Decoder is a free online tool that converts special characters to percent-encoded format for safe use in URLs, and decodes percent-encoded strings back to readable text, all instantly in your browser. URLs can only contain a limited set of characters — spaces, ampersands, equals signs, question marks, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded as %XX sequences to avoid breaking the URL structure. This is essential when building query strings, passing parameters in API requests, creating redirect URLs, or handling user-submitted data in web forms. This tool handles both encoding and decoding in one place, making it easy to construct valid URLs, debug encoded strings from server logs, and understand what encoded URL parameters actually contain.
Why Use DevBench URL Encoder & Decoder?
DevBench URL Encoder & Decoder runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No sign-up, no limits, no watermarks, completely free forever.
How to Use URL Encoder & Decoder
- Enter URL or text in the input field
- Click "Encode" to convert special characters to percent-encoding
- Click "Decode" to convert percent-encoded URL back to readable text
- Copy the result using the Copy button
- Use for URL parameters, query strings, and API requests
Examples
- Encode "Hello World" to "Hello%20World" for URLs
- Encode special characters like & = ? for query parameters
- Decode "%20" back to spaces in URLs
- Encode email addresses for mailto links
- Encode search queries for URL parameters
Use Cases
- Encoding URL parameters for API requests
- Encoding search queries in URLs
- Encoding special characters in query strings
- Decoding URLs from server logs
- Encoding email addresses for mailto links
- Encoding file paths in URLs
- Decoding encoded URLs for debugging
- Encoding form data for GET requests
- Encoding special characters in redirects
- Decoding URL parameters from analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters to %XX format so they can be safely transmitted in URLs.
Why do URLs need encoding?
URLs can only contain certain characters. Special characters like spaces, &, =, ? must be encoded to avoid breaking URLs.
What characters need encoding?
Spaces, &, =, ?, #, %, +, and non-ASCII characters must be encoded in URLs.
Is URL encoding the same as Base64?
No, URL encoding uses percent-encoding (%20) while Base64 converts data to alphanumeric strings.
Can I encode entire URLs?
Yes, but typically only the query parameters and path segments need encoding, not the protocol or domain.