Toolstia / URL encoder and decoder
Encode and decode URLs
Web addresses can only contain certain characters, so spaces and symbols are written as codes like %20. Encode text to make it safe for a URL, or decode a coded string back into plain text.
How it works
- Choose encode or decode.
- For encoding, choose whether you are encoding one value or a whole web address.
- Paste your text and copy the result.
Value or full address
Encoding "a value" also encodes the characters / ? & = : and #, which is right for a single parameter such as a search term. Encoding "a full web address" leaves those characters alone so the link keeps working.
What %20 means
A percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits stands for one byte. %20 is a space, and an accented letter such as é becomes two codes (%C3%A9) because it is stored as two bytes in UTF-8.
Plus signs
In form data, a plus sign can mean a space. When decoding, plus signs are turned into spaces. When encoding a value, a real plus sign is written as %2B.
Decoding errors
A stray % that is not followed by two valid digits cannot be decoded. The tool tells you instead of guessing.
Questions
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding happen in your browser.
Should I encode the whole address or just the value?
Encode only the value you are putting into the address, such as a search term. Encoding the entire address as a value would break the slashes and question mark.
Does it handle emoji and other languages?
Yes. Text is encoded as UTF-8, which covers every language and emoji.