Converter
Base64, UTF-8, UTF-16, ANSI, Hex & Every Format In Between
Convert text between any two encodings, directly - no plain-text stopover required
Results are provided for informational purposes only and may contain errors. Please verify important information independently. Use of this tool is at your own risk.
How to decode URL encoding
Decode URL encoding back to readable text instantly: paste the URL encoding and the original text appears as you type.
- Type or paste your input, such as name%3DJane%20Doe%20%26%20city%3DNew%20York, into the box above.
- The result appears right away: name%3DJane%20Doe%20%26%20city%3DNew%20York becomes name=Jane Doe & city=New York.
- Copy the result, or choose from 30 encodings in the From and To boxes.
How URL encoding works
Every byte that is not a letter, a digit or one of - _ . ! ~ * ' ( ) is replaced by % and its two-digit hex value. A space becomes %20, & becomes %26 and é (two bytes in UTF-8) becomes %C3%A9.
URL encoding to text examples
| URL encoding | Text |
|---|---|
Hello | Hello |
Hello%2C%20World! | Hello, World! |
4Dev.Net | 4Dev.Net |
a%2Bb%3Dc%3F | a+b=c? |
caf%C3%A9 | café |
100%25%20free | 100% free |
URL encoding and text explained
URL encoding (percent-encoding) replaces characters that are not allowed in a URL with % and their hex byte value, so a space becomes %20.
Plain text is read and written as UTF-8, so accents, emoji and every writing system are supported.
Frequently asked questions
Is URL encoding a form of encryption?
No. It only changes how the data is written, and anyone can reverse it without a key. Never use it to hide passwords or secrets.
Which character set is used?
UTF-8, the standard of the web. Accents, emoji and non-Latin scripts are encoded as their UTF-8 bytes and decoded back exactly.
Why does decoding give an error?
The input is not valid for the chosen encoding: a missing or extra character, a line break in the middle, or text that was encoded differently. Check that you copied the whole value.
Is this tool free?
Yes, it's free to use. No signup, no email required. Get results on this page.
How do I get my result?
Use the tool on this page. Your result appears here; no email delivery is required.