URL Encoder & Decoder — Percent-Encoding Tool

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Turn spaces and symbols into %20-safe URL text — or decode a messy link back to human.

Input

Output

How to use this tool

1. Choose Encode or Decode.
2. Paste your URL or text.
3. Press Convert — swap direction with one click.

Example

Encode ?q=creative island & tools → ?q=creative%20island%20%26%20tools. The space becomes %20 and the & becomes %26 so it can not be mistaken for a parameter separator.

The formula

encode: encodeURIComponent(text)  |  decode: decodeURIComponent(text)

What the result means

URLs may only contain a limited set of characters, so everything else travels percent-encoded: % = the escape, two hex digits = the byte. Encoding a whole URL vs just a value differs (encodeURI keeps ://?& intact) — this tool encodes values, which is what you want for query strings and slugs.

Frequently asked questions

Should I encode the whole URL or just the parameter?

Just the value. Encoding the full URL turns :// into %3A%2F%2F and breaks it. Type the value you want to pass (a search phrase, a slug) and encode that.

Why do some sites show + instead of %20?

That's the older form-urlencoded style, where + means space in form data. The decoder here accepts both.

My decoded text shows weird characters — why?

The original was encoded in a different charset (often Latin-1). Percent-decoding is exact; interpreting the bytes requires knowing their encoding.

Is my URL data uploaded?

No — the conversion happens locally in your browser.

More tools from Circuit Cove

Base64 Encoder/DecoderEncode or decode textHTML Entity EncoderEscape HTML safelyJSON FormatterPretty print JSONSlug GeneratorOn Paper Port

Explore the island world

• Circuit Cove — the island where this tool lives.
• The Main Island — drive the boat, explore the whole world.
• The 90s Kids Island — where most of us started.

Privacy & data: this tool runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded, saved or sent anywhere. · Disclaimer: all processing happens locally in your browser — never paste production secrets or private data into any online tool, including this one. · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer