# URL Encoder and Decoder

> Free URL encoder and decoder. Percent-encode query values or full URLs, and decode %20-style sequences back to text. Runs entirely in your browser.

Percent-encode text for URLs or decode percent-encoded URLs back to readable text. Choose query-value mode for parameters or full-URL mode that leaves ://?&= intact.

*Interactive tool: enter your values at https://toollantern.win/url-encoder-decoder/ and results update instantly in your browser.*

## What the tool does

URLs can only contain a limited set of characters. Encoding converts the rest, like spaces and accented letters, into %XX sequences. Decoding reverses it.

## The two modes

**Query value** encodes everything, which is what you want for a single parameter value. **Full URL** keeps the structural characters (: / ? & =) untouched and only encodes the rest.

## Worked example

Encoding **café au lait** as a query value gives caf%C3%A9%20au%20lait. Decoding hello%20world returns **hello world**.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is percent-encoding?

A way to represent special characters in URLs as a % sign followed by two hex digits, like %20 for a space. It keeps URLs valid when they contain spaces, Unicode, or reserved characters.

### When should I use full-URL mode?

When you have a complete URL and only want to fix the unsafe parts. Query-value mode would also encode the :// and ? characters, breaking the URL structure.

### What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

That is exactly what the two modes do. Full-URL mode behaves like encodeURI (structure preserved); query-value mode behaves like encodeURIComponent (everything encoded).

### Is my input sent to a server?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser, so nothing you paste ever leaves your device.

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Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/url-encoder-decoder/