URL Encoder/Decoder

URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a method to encode information in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) under certain circumstances. It's used to convert non-ASCII characters and reserved characters (like spaces, ?, &, =) into a format that can be safely transmitted over the Internet. This involves replacing these characters with a '%' sign followed by their two-digit hexadecimal representation.

URLs can only contain a specific set of characters (ASCII). Characters outside this set, or those with special meaning in URLs (reserved characters), must be encoded. This ensures that the URL is correctly interpreted by web servers and browsers, preventing errors or misinterpretations of query parameters and paths.

URL decoding is the reverse process of URL encoding. It converts percent-encoded sequences back into their original characters. For example, '%20' would be decoded back to a space character. This is typically done by web servers when they receive a request to process the parameters.

To use the tool: 1. Enter the string or URL component you want to encode or decode into the input text area. 2. Click 'Encode URL Component' to convert your input into a URL-safe string. 3. Click 'Decode URL Component' if your input is already URL-encoded and you want to see the original string. 4. The result will appear in the output text area. 5. Utilize the 'Paste Input', 'Copy Output', and 'Clear Fields' buttons for ease of use.

This tool is designed to encode or decode components of a URL (like query parameters, path segments, or individual strings) using JavaScript's `encodeURIComponent()` and `decodeURIComponent()` functions. These functions ensure that all necessary characters are properly encoded/decoded for use within a URL. It's generally not recommended to encode an entire URL string that already includes 'http://' or domain parts, as this might break it.

Yes, all encoding and decoding operations are performed locally in your web browser using JavaScript. Your data is not sent to our servers, ensuring your privacy and the security of your information.