Encoding and decoding URLs is a common activity in web development, particularly when working with unusual characters or transferring data through URLs. Encoding entails transforming special characters into a format that can be securely transferred over the Internet, whereas decoding includes restoring those encoded characters to their original form.
Our online encode/decode tool allows you to easily encode and decode your URLs. These tools usually provide a simple interface where you can input your URL, choose whether to encode or decode it, and then get the results.
What is URL encoding vs decoding?
URL encoding and decoding are the processes used to handle special characters and non-ASCII characters in URLs to ensure their proper transmission and interpretation by web browsers and servers.
Encoding URL: URL encoding involves replacing non-alphanumeric characters with '%', followed by their ASCII hexadecimal representation. For example, a space is encoded as '%20', while a question mark is encoded as '%3F'. This ensures that web browsers and servers can properly comprehend special characters.
For example:
- Space ('') is encoded as %20
- The ampersand ('&') is encoded as %26
- Question mark ('?') is encoded as %3F
Decoding URL: URL decoding is the conversion of encoded characters to their original form. For example, '%20' decodes to a space, but '%3F' decodes to a question mark.
For example:
- %20 is decoded as space ('')
- %26 is decoded as an ampersand ('&')
- %3F is decoded as a question mark ('?')
URL encoding and decoding are required for communicating data over URLs, particularly when the data contains special or non-ASCII characters. These steps ensure that the URL remains valid and that the data is properly interpreted by both the client and the server. Most programming languages include built-in functions or libraries for doing URL encoding and decoding programmatically.
How to use online encode/decode URL tools?
Our online encode/decode tool is simple to use for encoding and decoding URLs. There are the following steps involved:Access the tool: Visit our online encode/decode Tools, where URL encoding and decoding are available. These utilities have a straightforward user interface with input boxes for encoding and decoding URLs.
Encode the URL: To encode a URL, paste it into the supplied input form. Next, click the "Encode URL" button. The tool will parse the input and return an encoded URL as output.
Decode the URL: To decode the URL, simply paste the encoded URL into the input field. Then, click the "Decode URL" option. The tool will process the input and return the decoded URL.
Review the results: After encoding or decoding, review the results using our online tool. Make that the encoded or decoded URL meets your expectations and needs.
After receiving the desired result, you can copy the encoded or decoded URL from the online tool's output box and paste it into your web application, document, or message as needed.
Reserved Characters and Encoded Values
The reserved characters and after encoding value is given below.
!(Exclamation mark) becomes%21#(Number sign) becomes%23$(Dollar sign) becomes%24&(Ampersand) becomes%26'(Apostrophe) becomes%27((Parentheses) becomes%28)(Parentheses) becomes%29*(Asterisk) becomes%2A+(Plus sign) becomes%2B,(Comma) becomes%2C/(Slash) becomes%2F:(Colon) becomes%3A;(Semicolon) becomes%3B=(Equals sign) becomes%3D?(Question mark) becomes%3F@(At sign) becomes%40[(Square brackets) becomes%5B](Square brackets) becomes%5D
