Encode and decode URLs with RFC 3986 compliance, bulk processing, and smart validation
URL encoding converts special characters to percent-encoded format for safe transmission over the internet. Essential for query parameters, file names with spaces, and international characters in web applications.
Always encode parameter values: ?name=John%20Doe&city=New%20York
URLs use %20 for spaces, forms may use + in query parameters
Characters like : / ? # [ ] @ have special meaning in URLs
Non-ASCII characters must be encoded: café → caf%C3%A9
URL encoding, also known as percent encoding, is a fundamental web technology that ensures data can be safely transmitted over the internet. Our comprehensive URL encoder/decoder tool provides professional-grade functionality for web developers, digital marketers, and anyone working with web applications who needs to properly format URLs and query parameters.
URL encoding converts characters that have special meaning in URLs or cannot be safely transmitted over HTTP into a percent-encoded format. This process is essential because URLs can only contain a limited set of ASCII characters. When you include spaces, international characters, or symbols in URLs, they must be encoded to prevent parsing errors and ensure consistent behavior across different browsers and servers.
URL encoding is crucial in several scenarios: when building query parameters with user input, handling file names containing spaces or special characters, working with form data submission, and integrating with APIs that expect properly formatted URLs. Understanding when and how to apply URL encoding prevents common web development issues and ensures your applications handle data correctly.
Our tool offers two encoding modes to handle different use cases effectively. Strict mode follows RFC 3986 standards and encodes all reserved characters, making it perfect for query parameter values where you want to ensure that characters like colons, slashes, and question marks are treated as literal data rather than URL structure elements. Lenient mode preserves URL structure by keeping reserved characters unencoded, which is ideal when you need to encode a complete URL while maintaining its readability and functionality.
hello world
→ hello%20world
https://example.com/search?q=hello world
→ https://example.com/search?q=hello%20world
Essential for building robust web applications with proper URL handling and API integration.
Perfect for creating tracking URLs, campaign parameters, and analytics integration.
Ideal for processing web data, cleaning URLs, and preparing data for analysis tools.
Our URL encoder/decoder goes beyond basic functionality with advanced features designed for professional use. The bulk processing mode allows you to encode or decode multiple URLs simultaneously, processing each line independently. This feature is invaluable when working with large datasets, CSV files, or batch operations. The live mode provides real-time encoding/decoding as you type, making it perfect for interactive development and testing scenarios.
Understanding common URL encoding scenarios helps developers and marketers avoid frequent pitfalls. Query parameters containing spaces, special characters, or international text must be properly encoded to prevent parsing errors. File download URLs with spaces in filenames require encoding to ensure compatibility across different browsers and servers. Form submissions with user-generated content need encoding to handle special characters safely, and API integrations often require specific encoding formats for proper data transmission.
Double encoding occurs when already-encoded text gets encoded again, resulting in sequences like %2520 (which represents %20, the encoded space). This common issue can break URLs and cause application errors.
hello world
hello%20world
hello%2520world
❌Client-side only, no data transmission
Optimized for large text processing
Responsive design for all devices
Full keyboard navigation support
Strict and lenient encoding modes following web standards for maximum compatibility.
Process multiple URLs line-by-line for efficient batch operations and data processing.
Real-time encoding/decoding as you type with intelligent debouncing for smooth performance.
Detects double-encoding and invalid sequences with one-click fixes for common issues.
Modern clipboard API integration with success notifications and error handling.
Full keyboard navigation and screen reader support for inclusive web accessibility.