URL Encoder / Decoder
Encode or decode URLs, query values, and percent-encoded text instantly in your browser.
URL Encoder / Decoder workspace
Input
Output
Encoded or decoded output will appear here.
Processed locally in your browser. Your data is never sent to a server.
What is a URL Encoder / Decoder?
A URL Encoder / Decoder converts text to and from percent-encoded URL text. URL encoding turns spaces, Unicode characters, and reserved symbols into safe text that can be used in query strings, links, redirects, and web requests. This tool keeps the native browser behavior, so plus signs are not automatically changed into spaces when decoding.
How It Works
Encode or decode URL text
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Choose a mode
Use Encode for plain text or Decode for percent-encoded text.
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Paste input
Type or paste a URL, query value, or encoded string and the result updates instantly.
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Adjust the type
Keep Text / Query Value selected, or use Full URL when you want to preserve URL structure.
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Copy the result
Copy the encoded or decoded output directly from the result panel.
Features
Built for quick URL encoding
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Live conversion
Results update as you type, paste, switch modes, or change encoding type.
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Text and full URL modes
Use Text / Query Value for components, or Full URL when reserved URL characters should stay readable.
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Unicode and multiline input
Native browser APIs handle Unicode text and encode line breaks as part of the full input.
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Standards-based decoding
Malformed percent encoding is flagged, and plus signs remain plus signs instead of being treated as spaces.
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Swap workflow
Move the current result back into the input and flip between encode and decode.
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Browser-local processing
The input is processed on your device and is not uploaded or stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about using this tool.
What is URL encoding? +
URL encoding converts spaces, Unicode characters, and reserved symbols into percent-encoded text that can safely appear in URLs and query strings.
What is the difference between Text / Query Value and Full URL? +
Text / Query Value uses the URL component behavior for values such as search terms or query parameters. Full URL preserves URL structure characters such as colon, slash, question mark, ampersand, and equals.
Why do spaces become %20? +
Spaces are not safe in raw URLs, so standard URL encoding represents them as %20. This tool keeps that standards-based behavior.
Does Decode turn plus signs into spaces? +
No. Decode uses native browser URL decoding, so plus signs remain plus signs. Form-urlencoded plus-to-space decoding is not part of this V1 tool.
Can it encode Unicode and line breaks? +
Yes. Unicode text and line breaks are processed as one full input string using native browser APIs. In component mode, a line break encodes as %0A.
Is my URL text uploaded or stored? +
No. Encoding and decoding run locally in your browser during normal use. The text is not sent to a server or saved by PotatoTools.