How do I use the URL encoder and decoder?
- Paste the text or encoded URL.
- Choose Encode or Decode.
- Keep "component" on for query values; turn it off to encode a whole URL.
- Copy the result.
URL encoder and decoder: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?
encodeURI keeps characters like / ? & = that structure a URL. encodeURIComponent encodes them too, which is right for a single query value.
Why is a space sometimes + and sometimes %20?
HTML forms send spaces as +, while URLs use %20. The decoder here treats both as spaces.
What is URL encoding?
Replacing characters that are not allowed in URLs with % codes, so spaces become %20 and Arabic letters become UTF-8 byte codes.
When do I need to encode URLs?
When putting user text, emails or other URLs into query parameters, or building links in code.
Why does + appear instead of %20?
HTML form encoding uses + for spaces in query strings; both are common.
Can URLs contain Arabic?
Yes. Browsers show Arabic but send it percent-encoded; both forms refer to the same page.
Should my page URLs use Arabic or English slugs?
Either works for SEO. English slugs are easier to share; Arabic slugs can match Arabic searches.
Why did my link break in WhatsApp?
Unencoded spaces or special characters can cut it short. Encode parameters before sharing.
Is double encoding a problem?
Yes. %2520 instead of %20 breaks links; encode once, at the point you build the URL.
Is there an API for this tool?
Selected tools are available through a rate-limited public API. Contact us if you need higher volumes.