URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode or decode a URL or URL component. Component mode encodes all special characters (including /, ?, &). Full URL mode preserves the URL structure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between URL encoding and component encoding?
Full URL encoding (encodeURI) encodes only characters that are illegal in a URI, preserving structural characters like /, ?, &, and =. Component encoding (encodeURIComponent) encodes everything except letters, digits, and - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ), making it safe for encoding individual query string values.
When should I use component encoding vs. full URL encoding?
Use component encoding when encoding a single query parameter value — for example, a search term that might contain & or =. Use full URL encoding when you want to encode an entire URL while keeping its structure intact.
What does %20 mean?
% followed by two hex digits is a percent-encoded byte. %20 is the ASCII space character (decimal 32, hex 20). Browsers also accept + as a space in query strings, but %20 is the standard form.