URL Encode/Decode Tool
This URL Encode/Decode tool helps you convert text to URL-encoded format and vice versa. URL encoding replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits, ensuring URLs are properly formatted for web transmission.
How to use: Enter your text in the input box, select the operation you want to perform, and click the corresponding button. The tool also parses URLs into their components for better understanding of URL structure.
Common URL-Encoded Characters
Here are some commonly URL-encoded characters:
| Character | URL Encoded | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Space | %20 or + | Space character |
| ! | %21 | Exclamation mark |
| " | %22 | Double quote |
| # | %23 | Number sign |
| $ | %24 | Dollar sign |
| & | %26 | Ampersand |
| ' | %27 | Single quote |
| ( | %28 | Opening parenthesis |
| ) | %29 | Closing parenthesis |
| * | %2A | Asterisk |
| + | %2B | Plus sign |
| , | %2C | Comma |
| / | %2F | Forward slash |
| : | %3A | Colon |
| ; | %3B | Semicolon |
| = | %3D | Equals sign |
| ? | %3F | Question mark |
| @ | %40 | At sign |
| [ | %5B | Opening bracket |
| ] | %5D | Closing bracket |
About URL Encoding
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a mechanism for encoding information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) under certain circumstances. URL encoding is used when placing text in a query string to convert characters that are not allowed in URLs to a format that is.
Why URL Encoding is Necessary
- Special characters: URLs can only contain a specific set of ASCII characters. URL encoding ensures all characters can be transmitted safely.
- Reserved characters: Some characters have special meanings in URLs (like ? and &) and must be encoded when used as part of the data.
- Non-ASCII characters: Characters outside the ASCII set (like accented letters or symbols) need to be encoded for proper transmission.
encodeURI vs. encodeURIComponent
JavaScript provides two different functions for URL encoding:
- encodeURI(): Encodes a complete URI, but does not encode characters that have special meaning in a URL (like /, ?, :, @, &, =, +, $, and #).
- encodeURIComponent(): Encodes all characters that could have special meaning, making it suitable for encoding parts of a URL like query parameters.
This tool provides both options, allowing you to choose the appropriate encoding method for your specific needs.
