URL Encode / Decode
Escape and unescape URLs.
Escape and unescape URLs.
How to use URL Encode / Decode
- Paste the text or URL you need to escape or unescape
- Choose Component mode for one value or Full URL mode
- Read the encoded or decoded output and copy it out
About URL Encode / Decode
URL decoding turns percent-escaped sequences like %20, %26, and %3D back into the readable characters they stand for — spaces, ampersands, equals signs, and accented or non-English letters. Paste an encoded URL or query string and this tool decodes it instantly, so you can read a mangled link, debug a redirect, or pull a clean value out of a tracking parameter. Encoding does the same job in reverse, converting spaces and reserved characters into safe percent-escaped form so links, form data, and API parameters survive being passed between systems.
Two modes cover the different jobs. Component mode escapes reserved characters like : / ? & = # so a single query value or path segment stays intact — the same result you get from JavaScript's encodeURIComponent and decodeURIComponent. Full URL mode leaves a complete address's structure untouched, so you can encode or decode the whole thing without breaking it. Malformed input, such as a stray % or an incomplete %XX pair, is caught gracefully with a clear message instead of a crash.
Everything is free with no sign-up, no limits, and no ads. All the encoding and decoding runs entirely in your browser using the built-in JavaScript functions, so your text is never uploaded to a server or stored anywhere. Copy any result with one click, or swap the output back into the input to chain an encode and a decode together.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I decode an encoded URL?
- Paste the encoded URL or string into the input and the tool decodes it instantly, turning percent-escaped sequences like %20 and %3D back into spaces, symbols, and readable text. Use Component mode for a single query value and Full URL mode for a complete address.
- Can I both encode and decode with this tool?
- Yes. It works in both directions: encode readable text into percent-escaped form, or decode percent-encoding back into plain characters. You can also swap the output into the input to chain an encode and a decode in one place.
- What is the difference between Component and Full URL mode?
- Component mode uses encodeURIComponent, which escapes reserved characters like : / ? & = # so the text is safe as a single query value or path segment. Full URL mode uses encodeURI, which keeps those structural characters intact so you can encode a complete address without breaking it.
- What does URL encoding actually do?
- It converts characters that are unsafe or reserved in a URL, such as spaces, ampersands, and non-English letters, into percent-escaped sequences like %20 or %26. This keeps links, query parameters, and form data from breaking when passed between systems.
- Why does decoding sometimes show an error?
- Decoding fails when the input contains malformed percent-encoding, such as a stray % sign or an incomplete %XX sequence. The tool catches this and shows a friendly message instead of crashing. Fix or remove the broken sequence and it will decode.
- How do I decode a URL in JavaScript?
- In JavaScript, decodeURIComponent() decodes a single value and decodeURI() decodes a full URL, while encodeURIComponent() and encodeURI() do the reverse. This tool runs those exact functions, so you can test a string right away without opening a console.
- How do I decode a URL in Python?
- In Python you would use urllib.parse.unquote() to decode percent-encoding and quote() to encode it. This tool gives the same result without writing any code, which is handy for a quick one-off or for checking what your script should produce.
- Can this decode a Proofpoint URL Defense link?
- Decoding a rewritten Proofpoint link will turn its percent-encoded pieces back into readable characters, which often reveals the underlying destination. Note that Proofpoint's URL Defense uses its own wrapping scheme on top of standard encoding, so a plain percent-decoder may not fully unwrap every rewritten link.
- Does this do Base64 URL decoding?
- No. This tool handles URL percent-encoding (the %XX format), not Base64. If your string is Base64 or a Base64URL variant rather than percent-escaped, you will need a dedicated Base64 decoder instead.
- Is my data uploaded or stored anywhere?
- No. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser using built-in JavaScript functions. Your text never leaves your device and nothing is sent to a server or saved.
- Is this URL encoder and decoder free?
- Yes, it is 100% free with no account, no sign-up, and no usage limits. You can encode and decode as many URLs and strings as you want.