URL Encode is a free tool that converts text into percent-encoded form so it can be used safely in a web address. Spaces, symbols such as & and ?, accented letters and emoji become %XX codes. It runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How to URL-encode text
- Choose whether you are encoding a value or parameter (most common) or a whole URL.
- Type or paste the text. The encoded version appears on the right.
- Copy it into your link, API request or code.
Value or whole URL?
A single value, such as a search term, must have every special character encoded, otherwise& or = inside it would be read as part of the URL’s structure. For exampleTom & Jerry becomes Tom%20%26%20Jerry. This matches JavaScript’sencodeURIComponent.
Encoding a whole URL keeps the characters that give a URL its structure (: / ? # & =) and only encodes spaces and non-ASCII characters, matching encodeURI. Use it to fix a link that contains spaces or accented letters.
Examples
café au lait→caf%C3%A9%20au%20laita+b=c→a%2Bb%3Dc50% off!→50%25%20off!
To reverse the process, use URL Decode.
Frequently asked questions
Should I encode a value or the whole URL?
Encode each value (such as a search term) on its own, then put it into the URL. Encoding a whole URL only fixes spaces and non-ASCII characters and keeps / ? & = as they are, which is useful for fixing a broken link.
Why does a space become %20 or +?
%20 is the standard encoding for a space anywhere in a URL. The + form is only used in HTML form submissions and query strings. Choose whichever the receiving system expects.
How are emoji and accents encoded?
As their UTF-8 bytes: é becomes %C3%A9. This is the standard every modern server expects.
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