URL Encoder / Decoder
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Decoding
Encoding
What is URL encoding (URL Encoding)?
URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, is a way of writing characters in web addresses in a format compliant with the URL standard. Special characters, spaces and certain symbols are replaced with sequences starting with a percent sign (%), so they can be safely transmitted in a web address.
The encoding process is commonly used in HTTP requests, URL parameters, web forms and APIs. URL decoding, in turn, allows you to read an encoded address and restore it to a readable form.
What is URL encoding used for?
Encoding URL parameters
Special characters and spaces in query parameters must be encoded so that the URL is correctly interpreted by the server.
Working with APIs
In many APIs, data passed in the URL requires encoding to avoid errors in HTTP requests.
Debugging URLs
URL decoding helps check the actual content of query parameters in links and server logs.
Safe data transmission
URL encoding ensures correct transmission of data containing special characters or spaces.
URL encoding examples
URL encoding involves replacing special characters with their percent-encoded equivalents. This allows web addresses to safely contain spaces, symbols and characters outside the standard ASCII set.
Most common questions about URL Encoding
How do you encode a space in a URL?
A space in a URL is most commonly encoded as %20 or a plus sign (+), depending on the context of use, e.g. in form queries.
What does the percent sign (%) mean in a URL?
The percent sign starts a percent-encoding sequence that represents a character in ASCII or UTF-8 format.
Why do you need to encode a URL?
URL encoding allows data to be safely transmitted in web addresses and HTTP requests, avoiding issues with the interpretation of special characters.