URL Encoder/Decoder
Encode and decode URLs and query strings.
About URL Encoder/Decoder
The GuruAlpha URL Encoder/Decoder converts special characters in URLs to percent-encoded format (%XX) and decodes encoded URLs back to readable text. It handles individual characters, full URLs and query string parameters, making it essential for web development, API testing and URL manipulation.
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) is a mechanism for representing characters that are not safe in URLs. Spaces become %20, special characters like ! become %21, non-ASCII characters become multi-byte sequences like %C3%A9 (é). This encoding ensures that URLs are transmitted correctly across the web, as some characters have special meaning in URL syntax (e.g., ? for query strings, & for parameters, # for fragments).
The tool handles all URL encoding scenarios. Encode individual characters to see their percent-encoded representation. Encode full URLs to make them safe for transmission in emails, documents or API calls. Encode query string parameters to handle special characters in user input. Decode encoded URLs to read the human-readable version. The tool handles both standard encoding (RFC 3986) and the more aggressive encoding used by JavaScript's encodeURIComponent.
For developers, URL encoding is a daily task. API endpoints require properly encoded query parameters — a search query containing spaces or special characters must be encoded. Form data submitted via POST needs URL encoding for the request body. Redirect URLs with query strings must be encoded to preserve parameters. The tool simplifies all these operations.
The tool also provides encoding reference information. The encode table shows common characters and their percent-encoded equivalents, which is useful for quick reference without using the tool. The encoding mode selector lets you choose between encodeURI (preserves URL structure) and encodeURIComponent (encodes everything) for JavaScript compatibility.
Key Features of URL Encoder/Decoder
- Encode special characters to percent-encoded format
- Decode percent-encoded URLs to readable text
- Full URL encoding and decoding
- Query string parameter encoding
- encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent modes
- Character encoding reference table
- One-click copy to clipboard
- Browser-based for privacy
How to Use URL Encoder/Decoder
- Open the URL Encoder/Decoder on GuruAlpha.
- Paste a URL, query string or text with special characters.
- Click 'Encode' to convert special characters to %XX format.
- Or click 'Decode' to convert %XX back to readable characters.
- Choose encoding mode: encodeURI or encodeURIComponent.
- Copy the result to your clipboard.
Tips for Using URL Encoder/Decoder
- Use encodeURIComponent for individual parameters, encodeURI for full URLs.
- Spaces can be encoded as %20 or + depending on context (+ is for form data).
- Always encode user input before putting it in a URL query string.
- The reference table helps with quick manual encoding lookups.
- Decode API URLs to read and understand their query parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions About URL Encoder/Decoder
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding converts special characters to a % followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, and é becomes %C3%A9. This ensures URLs are transmitted correctly.
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI preserves URL structure characters (/, ?, &, #). encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters, digits and - _ . ~. Use encodeURIComponent for individual parameters.
Why are spaces encoded as + in forms?
HTML form data uses application/x-www-form-urlencoded encoding, where spaces become +. URLs use %20 for spaces. The tool handles both formats.
Can I decode any encoded URL?
Yes. The decoder handles all standard percent-encoded sequences, including multi-byte UTF-8 characters.