How to use the URL encoder
Paste text into the input box. Pick a mode, then choose Encode or Decode. Use Copy or Download for the output. Processing stays on this device.
encodeURIComponent vs encodeURI
encodeURIComponent is for a single path segment or query value. It percent-encodes reserved characters such as /, ?, #, &, and = so they cannot change URL structure. encodeURI is for an entire URL: it encodes spaces and non-ASCII characters but leaves those reserved characters so the URL still has a scheme, path, and query.
Form-style query strings sometimes use + for a space instead of %20. That mode first applies component encoding, then swaps spaces to plus signs on encode and plus signs to spaces on decode.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between encodeURIComponent and encodeURI?
encodeURIComponent encodes one value, including slashes and query punctuation. encodeURI encodes a full URL and keeps structural characters so the address still parses.
When should I use plus-as-space encoding?
Use it for application/x-www-form-urlencoded values, where a plus sign stands for a space. Do not use it for a full URL path.
Is my text uploaded or stored?
No. Encoding and decoding run in your browser. Deskutil never receives the content.
Why did decoding fail?
A percent sequence is incomplete or invalid. Correct the encoding and try again. The tool does not invent a guess for broken input.
Can I encode Unicode and emoji?
Yes. The browser UTF-8 percent-encodes non-ASCII characters, including emoji.