Free Online URL Encoders
URL encode and decode plain URLs, JSON, XML, and YAML instantly. All 8 tools run client-side — your data stays private.
What Is URL Encoding and Why Is It Needed?
URL encoding (also called percent-encoding) converts characters that are not allowed in URLs — such as spaces, &, =, and non-ASCII characters — into a %XX format that can be safely transmitted in query strings and HTTP requests.
When passing JSON, XML, or YAML as a URL parameter, the entire payload must be URL-encoded to prevent it from being misinterpreted as URL structure. Our tools handle encoding and decoding for each format instantly.
Common Use Cases
- check_circleEncode a JSON payload to pass as a URL query parameter
- check_circleDecode a percent-encoded URL received from an API or redirect
- check_circleEncode XML data for use in a GET request body
- check_circleURL-encode special characters in a YAML config string
- check_circleDecode a URL-encoded form submission to inspect its values
- check_circleEncode callback URLs containing special characters
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between URL encode and Base64 encode?
URL encoding replaces unsafe URL characters with %XX sequences, keeping the data human-readable. Base64 encoding converts binary or text data into a compact alphanumeric string, commonly used for HTTP headers and data URIs.
When should I URL-encode JSON?
When passing a JSON object as a query string parameter or in a GET request. Without encoding, characters like {, }, :, and " will break the URL structure.
Is URL encoding the same as HTML encoding?
No. URL encoding uses %XX sequences for HTTP transport. HTML encoding uses named entities like & and < to represent special characters safely in HTML documents.
Why does a space become %20 or + in URLs?
Spaces are encoded as %20 in standard percent-encoding (RFC 3986). In HTML form data (application/x-www-form-urlencoded), spaces are encoded as + instead.
Developer Insights
From the Blog
What is URL Encoding? A Complete Guide
From RFC 1738 origins to how percent-encoding works today — everything about URL encoding in web development.
URL Encoding in JavaScript: encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent
A practical guide to the four URL encoding functions in JavaScript with real code examples.
Common URL Encoding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Double encoding, encoding full URLs, mixing + and %20 — subtle bugs that only appear in production.