URL Encoder & Decoder
Percent-encode or decode URLs and query strings safely in your browser.
Free URL encoder and decoder
A URL encoder converts text into a format that is safe to use in a web address, and a decoder turns it back into readable text. ProseTool's URL encoder and decoder handles both directions, with component and full-URL modes, entirely in your browser. Paste your text, choose a mode, and copy the result.
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters. Spaces, ampersands, question marks, and non-English letters must be percent-encoded to travel safely through browsers and servers. Encoding by hand means memorising hex codes; this tool does it instantly and decodes encoded URLs back to plain text just as easily.
How to use the URL encoder and decoder
- Choose Encode or Decode.
- Pick the scope: component for a single query value, or full URL for a whole address.
- Type or paste your text — the result updates instantly.
- Click Copy result to use it.
Features
- Encode and decode in one tool with a single toggle.
- Component mode for safely encoding individual query parameters.
- Full-URL mode that preserves structural characters like / and ?.
- Clear error messages when decoding malformed input.
- Private and instant — runs locally with no signup or limits.
Benefits of URL encoding
Correct encoding prevents broken links and security issues. An unencoded space or ampersand can truncate a URL or change its meaning, sending users to the wrong place or breaking an API call. Developers rely on accurate encoding when building query strings, redirect links, and tracking parameters, and on decoding to read what an encoded URL actually contains.
Because the tool uses the browser's native encoding functions and never transmits your input, you can safely process URLs that contain tokens, IDs, or other sensitive values. There is no length limit, so everything from a short parameter to a long URL works instantly.
Frequently asked questions
What is URL encoding?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) replaces characters that are not allowed in a URL — such as spaces, &, ?, and accented letters — with a % followed by their hex code. For example, a space becomes %20. This keeps URLs valid and unambiguous.
What is the difference between component and full-URL mode?
Component mode (encodeURIComponent) encodes everything that is not a basic letter, digit, or a few safe symbols — use it for a single query value. Full-URL mode (encodeURI) leaves structural characters like :, /, ?, and & intact so an entire URL stays usable.
Why did decoding fail?
Decoding fails if the input contains a malformed percent sequence, such as a lone % or %ZZ. Check that every % is followed by two valid hexadecimal digits.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Encoding and decoding use built-in browser functions and run entirely on your device. Nothing is uploaded or stored.