URL Encoder Decoder
Encode and decode URLs instantly. Convert special characters, spaces, and symbols to URL-safe format with no limitations.
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How to Encode URLs Online Free
Filator's free URL encoder converts special characters to percent-encoded format instantly in your browser—no server uploads, no limitations, no signup required. Unlike urlencoder.org and freeformatter.com (both with heavy ads), Filator processes everything client-side with zero ads, supports full UTF-8 encoding, and handles unlimited URLs for maximum productivity.
Why Choose Filator's URL Encoder?
⚡ No Ads or Clutter
Clean interface with instant results. Unlike urlencoder.org and freeformatter.com which display multiple Google AdSense ads, Filator is completely ad-free with no distractions—just your URLs and results.
🔒 100% Private & Secure
All encoding happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your URLs never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy. No server uploads, no tracking beyond basic analytics—just pure client-side processing.
🌐 Full UTF-8 Support
Encode any Unicode characters including Chinese, Japanese, emojis, and all special characters. Unlike basic ASCII-only encoders, Filator handles international text properly with full UTF-8 support and RFC 3986 compliance.
♾️ Unlimited Conversions
Encode unlimited URLs with no usage caps, no daily limits, no ads blocking your view, and no premium upsells. Urlencoder.org shows ads; we don't. Completely free forever.
How to Encode URLs Step-by-Step
- 1.Click the URL tab in the tool above (supports text, query parameters, full URLs)
- 2.Paste your URL or text that contains special characters (spaces, &, =, ?, #, etc.)
- 3.Click "Encode" to instantly convert all special characters to percent-encoded format (%20, %26, %3D, etc.)
- 4.Copy the encoded result with one click, or decode encoded URLs back to readable text using the "Decode" mode
Filator vs Competitors Comparison
| Feature | Filator | URLEncoder.org | FreeFormatter.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisements | None | Multiple AdSense | Google AdSense |
| Processing Location | Client-side | Hybrid (server files) | Client-side |
| Character Set Support | Full UTF-8 | 20+ encodings | UTF-8 |
| File Upload Limit | N/A (text only) | 100MB (server) | N/A |
| Privacy | 100% local | Files to server | Client-side |
What is URL Encoding (Percent Encoding)?
URL encoding (also called percent encoding) is a mechanism for encoding information in URLs by converting special characters to a safe format. It works by replacing characters with "%" followed by two hexadecimal digits representing the character's ASCII code. For example, a space becomes %20, "&" becomes %26. This is required because URLs can only contain certain characters from the ASCII set, and reserved characters (&, =, ?, #) have special meanings in URL syntax.
Common URL Encoding Examples
| Character | Encoded | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Space | %20 or + | Most common character |
| & | %26 | Parameter separator |
| = | %3D | Key-value separator |
| ? | %3F | Query string start |
| # | %23 | Fragment identifier |
| / | %2F | Path separator |
Advanced Features
- • Bidirectional Conversion: Encode text to URL format AND decode URL-encoded text back to readable format
- • Full UTF-8 Support: Handles all Unicode characters including Chinese, Japanese, emojis, and special symbols
- • RFC 3986 Compliant: Follows official URL encoding standards for proper character handling
- • One-Click Copy: Copy encoded or decoded results to clipboard instantly with a single click
- • Real-Time Processing: See results instantly as you type or paste URLs
- • Query Parameter Handling: Properly encodes complex query strings with multiple parameters
- • Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android with any modern browser
- • No Data Limits: Encode URLs of any length with no arbitrary restrictions
Common Use Cases
🔗 API Development
Encode query parameters for GET requests, construct API URLs with search terms, handle special characters in REST endpoints, and debug URL-based API calls.
📊 Web Analytics
Encode UTM parameters for campaign tracking, create custom tracking URLs, encode referral URLs, and handle special characters in analytics parameters.
📧 Email Marketing
Encode links in email templates, create URL-safe unsubscribe links, encode tracking parameters, and ensure links work across all email clients.
🔐 OAuth & Authentication
Encode redirect URLs in OAuth flows, handle callback URLs with parameters, encode state parameters, and ensure authentication URLs are properly formatted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I encode a URL online?
Paste your URL or text into the encoder field and click "Encode". Special characters like spaces (&, =, ?, #) are instantly converted to percent-encoded format (e.g., space becomes %20). All processing happens in your browser with no server uploads.
What is URL encoding (percent encoding)?
URL encoding (also called percent encoding) converts special characters into a safe format for URLs by replacing them with '%' followed by two hexadecimal digits. For example, a space becomes %20, '&' becomes %26. This ensures URLs can be transmitted safely over the internet.
When should I use URL encoding?
Use URL encoding for query parameters in URLs, API requests with GET parameters, form submissions, encoding search terms, and whenever you need to include special characters (spaces, &, =, ?, #) or non-ASCII text in a URL. It ensures characters are transmitted correctly.
Is space encoded as %20 or +?
Both are valid but used in different contexts. %20 is the standard percent-encoding for spaces in URL paths. The + symbol is used in query strings (application/x-www-form-urlencoded). Modern practice prefers %20 everywhere for consistency.
Can I decode URL-encoded text back to normal?
Yes! URL encoding is completely reversible. Simply paste the encoded URL into the decoder and it converts back to the original text. For example, %20 converts back to a space, %26 converts to &, etc. Our tool handles both encoding and decoding.
Is URL encoding safe and private?
Yes, absolutely. Unlike urlencoder.org and freeformatter.com which use server-side processing (with ads), Filator encodes everything in your browser using JavaScript. Your URLs never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy with zero server upload risk.
What characters need URL encoding?
Reserved characters that need encoding include: spaces, & (ampersand), = (equals), ? (question mark), # (hash), / (slash), : (colon), and @ (at sign). Non-ASCII characters (like Chinese, Japanese, emojis) also need encoding. Our tool automatically handles all of these.
Is this URL encoder free to use?
Yes, completely free with no limitations. Unlike urlencoder.org and freeformatter.com with ads, Filator is ad-free. No signup required, no premium upsells, unlimited encoding/decoding. All processing is client-side in your browser for complete privacy.
Ready to Encode URLs?
Start encoding and decoding URLs instantly with no signup, no ads, and complete privacy. Fast, accurate, and completely free—with none of the clutter you'll find on urlencoder.org or freeformatter.com. Try Filator now for truly unlimited URL encoding.