URL Encoder Decoder - Encode & Decode URLs

Understanding URL Encoding and Decoding

URL encoding is essential for safely transmitting data through URLs and HTTP requests. It converts special characters and spaces into a format that can be safely transmitted over the internet. Our URL Encoder & Decoder helps developers, marketers, and web professionals handle URL encoding efficiently and accurately.

What is URL Encoding?

URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, converts special characters into a format suitable for URLs. Each special character is replaced with a percent sign (%) followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character's ASCII code. For example, a space becomes %20, and an exclamation mark becomes %21.

Why URL Encoding Matters

Safe Data Transmission: Ensures special characters don't break URLs or cause parsing errors
API Compatibility: Many APIs require proper URL encoding for query parameters
SEO Optimization: Properly encoded URLs are more SEO-friendly and readable
Security: Encoding prevents injection attacks and URL manipulation
Cross-Platform Support: Ensures URLs work across different systems and browsers

Common Characters That Need Encoding

Space → %20
! → %21
# → %23
$ → %24
& → %26
' → %27
* → %2A
+ → %2B

URL Encoding Use Cases

API Requests: Query parameters often contain special characters that must be encoded.

Search Queries: Search terms with spaces and special characters must be encoded in search URLs.

Form Data: Form submissions encode data using URL encoding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to encode the entire URL?

No, only encode the query parameters. The scheme (http://) and domain parts should not be encoded.

Is URL encoding the same as Base64 encoding?

No, they're different. URL encoding is for safe URL transmission, Base64 is for binary data.

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