What is URL Encoding and Decoding?
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a process of converting characters into a format that can be
transmitted over the Internet. It replaces unsafe ASCII characters with a "%" followed by two hexadecimal
digits. This ensures that URLs are transmitted correctly and safely across the web.
Why is URL Encoding Important?
URLs can only be sent over the Internet using the ASCII character-set. Since URLs often contain characters
outside this set, URL encoding is necessary to:
- Encode special characters such as spaces, punctuation, and non-ASCII characters.
- Ensure URLs are valid and properly interpreted by web servers and browsers.
- Prevent errors caused by unsafe characters in URLs.
How to Use This URL Encoder and Decoder Tool
This free online tool allows you to easily encode or decode URLs:
- Encode: Paste your URL or text into the input box and click the Encode button
to convert it into a URL-safe format.
- Decode: Paste a URL-encoded string into the input box and click the Decode
button to convert it back to its original form.
This tool is useful for developers, SEO specialists, and anyone working with URLs or web data.
Additional Tips
- Always encode URLs before using them in HTML or HTTP requests.
- Use decoding to read or debug encoded URLs.
- Remember that encoding only changes the representation, not the actual data.