About the Handiwork URL Encoder / Decoder
The URL Encoder safely percent-encodes and decodes URLs and their components. Encode query parameters and special characters so links work correctly, or decode an encoded URL back into readable text — with separate modes for full URLs and individual components.
How to use the Handiwork URL Encoder / Decoder
- Choose to encode or decode, and whether it is a full URL or a component.
- Paste your URL or text.
- Copy the safely encoded or decoded result.
What is URL (percent) encoding?
URLs can only contain a limited set of characters, so spaces, accented letters, and symbols like & and ? must be replaced with percent-encoded equivalents (a space becomes %20). This keeps links and query strings from breaking when they contain reserved or unsafe characters.
Full URL vs. component encoding
Encoding a full URL preserves structural characters like ://, /, and ? so the link still works. Encoding a single component (such as a query value) escapes those characters too, which is what you want when inserting user input into a query string.
Frequently asked questions
When should I encode a URL component instead of the full URL?
Encode the component when you are inserting a value (like a search term) into a query string, so characters such as & and = do not break the URL structure.
Why does a space turn into %20 or +?
Spaces are not allowed in URLs. In paths they are encoded as %20, while in some query strings they may appear as +. This tool encodes them safely for you.