URL Encoder & Decoder Online
Percent-encode text for safe use in a URL, or decode it back — instantly, entirely in your browser.
Text to encode
Never uploaded
Encoding and decoding both happen entirely in your browser — your text never touches our servers.
Unicode-safe
Accented letters, non-Latin scripts, and emoji are all percent-encoded and decoded correctly.
Free, no limit
No account, and no limit on how much text you can convert.
What is URL Encoding?
URL encoding, also called percent-encoding, converts characters that aren't safe inside a URL — spaces, &, =, ?, #, and non-ASCII characters — into a %XX format (the character's byte value in hexadecimal). This lets arbitrary text be safely included in a query string parameter, path segment, or form submission without breaking the URL's structure or being misread as part of it.
How to Encode or Decode a URL Online
- Choose a mode. "Encode" converts plain text into a percent-encoded string; "Decode" converts it back into plain text.
- Paste your input. Type or paste the text (for Encode) or the percent-encoded string (for Decode).
- Read the result. The conversion happens instantly as you type — no button to click.
- Copy or download. Use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard, or Download to save it as a .txt file.
Component Encoding
This tool uses component encoding (the same behavior as JavaScript's encodeURIComponent), which percent-encodes every character that isn't safe inside a single URL segment — including reserved characters like &, =, ?, and /. That's the correct choice for encoding a value that will be placed inside a query parameter (for example, turning a search phrase into ?q=your-encoded-text) rather than encoding an entire, already-structured URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I URL encode text?
Paste or type your text into the input box with Encode selected — the percent-encoded result appears instantly below. Switch to Decode to convert it back.
What is URL encoding used for?
URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts characters that aren't safe in a URL — spaces, &, =, ?, and non-ASCII characters — into a %XX format, so they can be safely included in a query string parameter, path segment, or form submission without breaking the URL's structure.
Why does encoding turn spaces into %20?
A space isn't a valid character inside a URL, so it's percent-encoded as %20 (its ASCII value in hex). Some contexts use + for spaces instead, but %20 is the universally correct form this tool produces.
Does it encode reserved characters like & and =?
Yes — this tool uses component encoding (JavaScript's encodeURIComponent), which encodes every character that isn't safe in a single URL segment, including &, =, ?, and /. That's the correct choice when encoding a value that will go inside a query parameter.
Does it support Unicode and emoji?
Yes — non-ASCII characters, accented letters, and emoji are all percent-encoded correctly and decode back to the original text.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding both run entirely in your browser — your text is never sent to CurePDF's servers.
Is the URL encoder/decoder free?
Yes, with no account required and no limit on how much text you can convert.
Can I copy or download the result?
Yes — use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard, or Download to save it as a .txt file.