// encode & decode URLs in real time · plus query string parser
This free URL encoder and decoder converts text and full URLs to and from percent-encoded format in real time, plus includes a built-in query string parser. URL encoding (percent-encoding) replaces characters that aren't allowed in a URL — spaces, ampersands, non-ASCII characters — with a % followed by their hex code, so the URL remains valid and unambiguous.
Everything updates live as you type, and query parameters are parsed and decoded automatically. No data ever leaves your browser.
% followed by their two-digit hexadecimal code — for example, a space becomes %20. This keeps URLs unambiguous when they contain reserved characters like &, ?, or #.encodeURIComponent encodes almost every special character, including & ? = /, making it safe for encoding a single value (like a query parameter) that will be inserted into a URL. encodeURI leaves those reserved characters untouched because it's meant for encoding an entire URL that already has its structure in place. This tool uses encodeURIComponent-style encoding, matching the most common use case.%20 is the standard percent-encoding for a space anywhere in a URL. + is a legacy convention specific to the application/x-www-form-urlencoded format (used in query strings and form submissions) where it also means space. This tool uses %20, which is safe and unambiguous everywhere.: / ? # [ ] @ ! $ & ' ( ) * + , ; =), spaces, and any non-ASCII character (like accented letters or emoji) need encoding when used as part of a value rather than as URL structure. Letters, digits, and - _ . ~ are always safe and never encoded.? in the URL and reads everything after it as key=value pairs joined by &. If your input doesn't include the ? and full domain, paste the complete URL, or make sure each parameter follows the key=value pattern — malformed pairs (like a stray & with no key) will be skipped.