🚀 Solving URL Encoding Challenges

This tool solves common problems developers face when working with URLs:

• Special character issues - Safely encode spaces, symbols, and international characters
• API parameter encoding - Properly format query strings and form data
• Debugging encoded URLs - Quickly decode and inspect URL parameters
• Cross-platform compatibility - Ensure URLs work across all browsers and systems

📋 Step-by-Step Guide

1. Enter your text: Type or paste plain text into the left panel
2. Choose encoding method:
   • 🔒 encodeURIComponent - Encodes all special characters (recommended for URL parameters)
   • 🌐 encodeURI - Preserves URL structure (for complete URLs)
   • 📝 Form (+) Encode - Uses + for spaces (HTML forms & PHP compatibility)
3. Decode existing URLs: Paste encoded text in the right panel and use decode buttons
4. Copy or clear: Use the toolbar buttons to manage your content

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is URL encoding and why do I need it?

URL encoding (percent-encoding) converts special characters into a format safe for internet transmission. It replaces unsafe characters with a percent sign (%) followed by two hexadecimal digits. This prevents broken links, ensures proper data transmission, and maintains compatibility across different systems and browsers.

When should I use encodeURIComponent vs encodeURI?

Use encodeURIComponent for encoding individual URL parameters or values that will be part of a query string. It encodes all special characters except -_.!~*\'(). Use encodeURI when encoding a complete URL, as it preserves URL structure characters like :/?#[]@.

What's Form (+) encoding and when is it used?

Form (+) encoding (application/x-www-form-urlencoded) is similar to encodeURIComponent but replaces spaces with plus signs (+) instead of %20. It's the standard format for HTML form submissions and is compatible with PHP's urlencode() function. Use it when working with form data or legacy systems expecting this format.

Does this tool support Unicode and international characters?

Yes! Our tool fully supports Unicode (UTF-8) encoding. All international characters, emojis, and special symbols are properly converted to percent-encoded sequences, ensuring your content is preserved accurately across any language or character set.

Is my data secure when using this tool?

Absolutely. All encoding and decoding happens directly in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, stored, or logged. Your information remains completely private and secure on your device.

Can I use this tool offline?

Once the page loads, the tool works entirely offline. The encoding/decoding functions run locally in your browser without requiring an internet connection. You can bookmark the page for offline access after the initial load.

What are common URL encoding mistakes to avoid?

Common mistakes include: double-encoding (encoding already encoded strings), using the wrong encoding method for your use case, forgetting to encode special characters in query parameters, and mixing encoding formats. Always test your encoded URLs and use the appropriate method for your specific needs.

How do I handle encoding errors?

If you see "Invalid encoded string" when decoding, the input may be corrupted or use an incompatible encoding format. Check for incomplete percent-encoded sequences (like lone % signs), ensure you're using the matching decode function for how it was encoded, and verify the string hasn't been truncated.

Need additional help or have feature requests? Visit our Support Center for assistance, documentation, and community resources.