URL Encode and Decode guide
URL Encode and Decode: Percent-Encoding Made Easy
Use our URL encoder and decoder to percent-encode text for web addresses, or decode %-encoded text back to normal.
By the AllCalculator editorial teamUpdated 16 October 20261 min read
Web addresses can only contain certain characters. Spaces, accents and symbols like & and ? have to be percent-encoded. Our URL Encode and Decode tool does it for you.
How to use the calculator (URL Encode and Decode)
- Choose encode or decode.
- Type or paste your text or URL.
- When encoding, choose part of a URL (such as a search term) or a whole URL.
How percent-encoding works
Each character that isn't allowed is replaced by % and its bytes in hexadecimal:
| Character | Encoded |
|---|---|
| Space | %20 |
| & | %26 |
| ? | %3F |
| = | %3D |
| é | %C3%A9 |
Letters, numbers and - _ . ~ never need encoding.
Part of a URL or a whole URL?
- Part of a URL encodes everything except letters, numbers and - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ), so it's safe for a single value like a search term.
- A whole URL keeps the characters that give a URL its structure, like : / ? & = #.
A worked example
With the calculator's default settings, café & cake?size=large encoded as part of a URL becomes:
caf%C3%A9%20%26%20cake%3Fsize%3Dlarge
Frequently asked questions
Why do I sometimes see + instead of %20?
Web forms traditionally encode spaces as +. The decoder treats + as a space.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. It's converted in your browser.
For other encodings, try our Base64 Encode and Decode tool.
Sources and further reading
Links open official and independent websites in a new tab.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It isn't financial, tax, legal or building advice and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Figures were checked when the guide was last updated and can change, so confirm anything important with GOV.UK, HMRC, a regulated adviser or a qualified tradesperson.