URL Encoder/Decoder Online

Encode or Decode any URL, URI, or other text online using the form below.

As you type, encoded text will be decoded, or decoded text will be encoded. The URL encoding is done by the Javascript escape function, and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) decoding is done by the Javascript unescape function. You can select a different function like encodeURI or encodeURIComponent. URL encoding and decoding is faster using this utility than other online URL encoders and URL decoders, because this one encodes or decodes dynamically as you type. It is also secure because the data you enter is only in your device/browser and is not sent anywhere.

URL Encoding and Decoding Explained

The specifications for URL encoding are defined in RFC 1738: Uniform Resource Locators (URL) specification. Basically, URLs are encoded by taking the character code of certain special characters, and encoding them as the character "%" followed by the two hexadecimal digits representing the character code. Thus, each special character is converted into three simpler characters, viz. 0-9 and A-F. This allows the URL to be composed only of simpler characters, thus making them easier to type, print, copy, view, or process by machine.