What is the URL Encoder & Decoder?
A URL encoder converts characters that are illegal or ambiguous in web addresses — spaces, ampersands, question marks, unicode — into safe percent-encoded sequences like %20. Without encoding, links break: a space truncates the address, an ampersand splits a parameter in two, and non-ASCII characters corrupt entirely. Decoding reverses the process so you can read what an encoded link actually says.
On BConvert, encoding and decoding are instant and fully local. Paste a full URL or a single value, choose encode or decode, and use component mode when only query values need escaping. The decode view doubles as a safety check — paste a suspicious link to reveal its true destination before you click it.
How to use it
- Paste your URL or text — Paste the full URL or the text fragment you need to encode into the input field.
- Pick encode or decode — Choose encode to percent-encode special characters, or decode to turn percent sequences back into text.
- Use component mode — For query parameters, use component mode so characters like ampersands inside values are encoded correctly.
- Copy the result — Copy the result directly into your code, href attribute, or API request.
- Inspect suspicious links — Use the decode view to inspect suspicious links and see exactly where they point before clicking.
Common use cases
- Encode a search query containing spaces and symbols before appending it to an API request URL.
- Fix a shared link that broke because it contained unencoded parentheses or unicode characters.
- Decode a long tracking URL to reveal the real destination hidden behind redirect parameters.
- Prepare pre-filled form or share links where the message text needs safe encoding.
Tips
- Encode only the parameter values, not the whole URL — encoding the slashes and colon will break the link.
- Spaces become %20 in paths but plus signs in form data; know which context you are encoding for.
- Double-encoding (%2520) is a common bug — decode once first if you are unsure of the input's state.
- Browsers display decoded unicode in the address bar but send the encoded form; copy from the tool to be exact.
Frequently asked questions
What does URL encoding do?
It converts characters that are illegal or ambiguous in URLs — like spaces and non-ASCII text — into percent sequences so links work reliably everywhere.
Should I encode the entire URL?
Usually not. Encode individual query values instead, so structural characters keep working. This tool offers both modes for exactly that reason.
Why do I see %20 in some links?
That is an encoded space. Browsers and servers read %20 as a space, but the raw character would terminate or corrupt the URL if left unencoded.
Can I decode a URL to check where it goes?
Yes — paste any encoded link into decode mode to reveal the readable destination, which helps you spot phishing URLs before opening them.