MUTools

Encoding

URL Encode / Decode

URL Encode / Decode converts plain text into percent-encoded (URL-encoded) format and decodes it back to readable text. Results update as you type — no button press needed.

Mode
Encoding scope
URL-encoded output
Output will appear here once you type something

All processing happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.

About URL Encode / Decode

URL Encode / Decode converts plain text into percent-encoded (URL-encoded) format and decodes it back to readable text. Results update as you type — no button press needed.

URL encoding replaces characters that are not safe in URLs — such as spaces, non-ASCII letters, and special symbols — with a % sign followed by two hex digits (e.g., a space becomes %20, and the Japanese character "あ" becomes %E3%81%82). Browsers and HTTP clients do this automatically, but knowing how to do it manually is essential for API development and debugging.

Two encoding scopes are available. Query parameter encodes nearly all special characters, including URL delimiters like :, /, ?, and #. Use this for values you embed in a query string or anywhere inside a URL. Full URL preserves URL structural delimiters and only encodes characters that are unsafe anywhere in a URI, such as non-ASCII characters. Use this when you want to encode an already-formed URL without breaking its structure.

The optional Encode spaces as "+" toggle replaces spaces with + instead of %20, matching the application/x-www-form-urlencoded format used by HTML form submissions.

All processing happens entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.

How to use

  1. Select "Text → URL" to encode or "URL → Text" to decode using the mode toggle at the top.
  2. Choose an encoding scope: "Query parameter" for individual values, or "Full URL" for a complete URL. When in doubt, use Query parameter.
  3. Type or paste your text (or URL-encoded string) into the input field. The result updates instantly.
  4. Enable "Encode spaces as +" if you need application/x-www-form-urlencoded format.
  5. Click the "Copy" button in the output area to copy the result to your clipboard.

Use cases

  • Encoding Japanese or special characters in API query parameters to verify the correct percent-encoded output.
  • Decoding URL-encoded strings from browser address bars, HTTP logs, or API responses to read the original content.
  • Checking the encoding and decoding of HTML form POST data (application/x-www-form-urlencoded).
  • Verifying that OAuth redirect_uri or signature base strings are encoded according to spec.
  • Quickly decoding URL-encoded parameters from external services to inspect their contents.

Notes

  • "Query parameter" mode is equivalent to encodeURIComponent. It encodes URL delimiters (: / ? # @) as well. Use it for individual parameter values or any string you embed inside a URL.
  • "Full URL" mode is equivalent to encodeURI. It preserves URL structural characters and only encodes characters that are unsafe anywhere in a URI. Use it when you need to encode a complete URL without breaking its structure.
  • When "Encode spaces as +" is enabled, spaces are encoded as + (encoding) or decoded as + → %20 → space (decoding), matching the application/x-www-form-urlencoded format.
  • If the input contains a malformed %xx sequence — such as a lone % or a non-hex character after % — an error message is shown. Double-check the source string.
  • Non-ASCII characters, including Japanese and emoji, are fully supported. They are encoded as their UTF-8 byte sequence in percent-encoded form.

FAQ

Is my text sent to a server?
No. All encoding and decoding is done locally in your browser. You can safely paste URLs or parameters containing sensitive information.
When should I use Query parameter vs. Full URL?
Use Query parameter (encodeURIComponent) when encoding individual values — such as a search term or a parameter value — that will be embedded in a URL. Use Full URL (encodeURI) when encoding a complete, already-formed URL without breaking its structure. If unsure, Query parameter is the safer choice.
How are Japanese characters encoded?
They are first converted to their UTF-8 byte representation and then percent-encoded. For example, the character "あ" becomes %E3%81%82.
When should I use "Encode spaces as +"?
Use it when working with HTML form submissions or APIs that expect application/x-www-form-urlencoded format, where spaces are represented as + instead of %20.
I got a decode error. What should I do?
The input likely contains an incomplete or invalid %xx sequence — for example, a % at the end of the string, or non-hex characters like %GG. Check the source string and try again.