What is URL encoding and why is it needed?

URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters that are unsafe or reserved in URLs into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. For example, spaces become '%20', and question marks become '%3F'. It is essential for sending query parameters, form data, and special characters in URLs.

Is my data secure when using this URL encoder?

Yes, 100% secure. This tool runs entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. The URL or query string you encode is never sent to our servers, stored in databases, or logged anywhere.

Does this encoder follow RFC 3986 standards?

Yes. Our encoder implements percent-encoding according to RFC 3986, which is the official standard for URIs. This ensures that your encoded strings are compatible with all modern web browsers, servers, and APIs.

Can I decode a URL with this tool as well?

Yes, this tool also provides URL decoding functionality. Simply paste an encoded URL into the decoder field, and it will revert the percent-encoded characters back to their original form.

What characters are encoded in URL encoding?

URL encoding converts reserved characters (such as ':', '/', '?', '#', '@', '&', '=', '+', '$', ','), unsafe characters (such as spaces, ' ', '%', '{', '}', '|', '\', '^', '[', ']', '`'), and any non-ASCII characters into a %XX format where XX represents the hexadecimal value of the character.

What are the limitations of this free URL encoder?

Free with no account, no daily limits, and no string length cap. Encodes and decodes URLs of any length directly in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.

Free URL Encoder — Encode Any URL or Query String Instantly

Encode any URL or query string instantly for web use using percent-encoding (RFC 3986). All processing runs locally in your browser with 100% privacy — no data is ever uploaded.

Quick Answer

How do I encode a URL for free?

Paste your URL or query string into the input field and click 'Encode'. The tool instantly applies percent-encoding to all reserved characters and spaces, making it safe for use in web addresses and APIs.

Web Utility

Free URL Encoder / Decoder

Safely encode text for use in web links or decode percent-encoded URLs back into readable text. Processed instantly and locally.

1. Text to Encode

Source String

2. Result Output

Percent-Encoded Result

The two functions that solve different problems

JavaScript has two URL encoding functions and they are not interchangeable. Getting this wrong is a real source of bugs.

encodeURI()Encodes a complete URL. Leaves structural characters intact: : / ? # [ ] @ ! $ & ' ( ) * + , ; =. Use when you have a full URL and need to make it safe for embedding in HTML or an HTTP header.
encodeURIComponent()Encodes a URL component— a query parameter value, a path segment, a fragment. Encodes everything including structural characters. Use this when you're encoding a value that will be placed inside a URL, not the full URL itself. If you use encodeURI() on a query value that contains & or =, those characters won't be encoded and the URL will be parsed incorrectly.

Common scenarios where encoding goes wrong

Email in query stringuser+tag@example.com — the + in the email becomes a space when decoded if you use encodeURI instead of encodeURIComponent. The email arrives garbled.
Search queries with special charactersA search query containing & splits into multiple parameters. Always encodeURIComponent() search values.
Redirect URLs as parametersPassing a full URL as a query parameter: ?redirect=https://example.com/path?q=1 — the inner URL's ? and = will break the outer URL parser unless encodeURIComponent() is used on the value.

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The two functions that solve different problems

Common scenarios where encoding goes wrong

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