Fixing a broken search URL
Before
URL with a space broke the request
After
Space encoded as %20, request went through
This was in a marketing email. The broken link was silently losing clicks. Fixed in 10 seconds.
All Tools
URL Encoder / Decoder – Encode and Decode Instantly
I built this when I kept seeing broken URLs from OAuth callbacks and tracking links — spaces becoming `%20`, ampersands breaking query strings. Paste a URL, encode or decode, and see what's actually going on.
100% free, no signup
Your files are processed in your browser and never uploaded to any server.
A note from me
The most common mistake I see: encoding a whole URL instead of just the parameter value. If you encode `https://example.com/search?q=hello world` as one string, the `:` and `/` and `?` also get encoded — and the URL stops working. Encode only the value: `hello%20world`. This tool follows `encodeURIComponent`, which is what you actually want for parameters.
— Mirza Noman Baig
How to use this tool
- 1Pick Encode or Decode.
- 2Paste your text, URL, or query parameter value.
- 3See the result instantly.
- 4Copy with one click.
Real results from testing
These are actual measurements from using this tool, not estimates.
Debugging an OAuth callback
Before
Callback URL arrived with %26 in the query
After
Decoded — the %26 was actually an & that got double-encoded
Double-encoding was the bug. This tool made it obvious.
Preparing a query parameter
Before
Search term 'coffee & tea' broke the query
After
Encoded to 'coffee%20%26%20tea'
The ampersand was being parsed as a query separator. Encoding fixed it.
URL Encoder / Decoder features
Encode and decode
Both directions in one tool, with a swap button to flip.
encodeURIComponent behavior
Matches the JavaScript standard for URL parameter encoding.
Query parameter ready
Safe for API requests, OAuth callbacks, and tracking links.
Runs locally
URLs with tokens or keys never leave your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Should I encode the whole URL or just the parameter?+
Just the parameter value. Encoding the whole URL breaks the `://` and the `?`. Use this tool on individual values.
Does this follow encodeURIComponent?+
Yes. Same behavior as JavaScript's encodeURIComponent, which is what you want for query strings and path segments.
Is my data uploaded?+
No. Everything runs in your browser. Your URLs never leave your device.
What's the difference between URL encoding and HTML escaping?+
URL encoding handles `&`, `?`, spaces, and special characters for URLs. HTML escaping handles `<`, `>`, `&` for HTML. Use the right tool for the right context.
Can it handle Unicode?+
Yes. Non-English characters get encoded as UTF-8 percent sequences, which is correct.