Practical URL Encoding References
These guides focus on the encoding problems developers actually hit in production: JavaScript URL functions, query parameter boundaries, RFC 3986 reserved characters, form submissions, Unicode, and API request bugs.
Start with the complete URL encoding overview if you need the fundamentals, or use the JavaScript and query parameter guides when debugging broken links, redirect parameters, search URLs, OAuth calls, or analytics tags.
How to Decode a URL: Percent-Encoding Made Simple
Learn how to decode a URL by hand and in code. Convert %20, %2F, %3D, and UTF-8 sequences back to readable text, fix double encoding, and avoid common bugs.
encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent: Which One Should You Use?
A practical guide to JavaScript URL encoding functions, with examples for full URLs, path segments, query parameters, and common bugs.
application/x-www-form-urlencoded vs JSON: When to Use Each
Compare form URL encoding and JSON request bodies for APIs, forms, webhooks, OAuth, and server integrations.
RFC 3986 Percent-Encoding: Reserved and Unreserved Characters
Understand the URL standard behind percent-encoding, including reserved characters, unreserved characters, and when encoding is required.
URL Query Parameters: Encoding Rules and Examples
Learn how query parameters are structured, how to encode names and values correctly, and how to avoid broken API requests.
How to Encode URLs in JavaScript: encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent
Master URL encoding in JavaScript. Understand the difference between encodeURI(), encodeURIComponent(), decodeURI(), and decodeURIComponent() with practical examples.
URL Encoding for API Development: Best Practices
Master URL encoding in API development. Learn how to safely encode query parameters, handle authentication tokens, build API clients, and avoid common encoding pitfalls.
URL Encoding Special Characters Table: %20, %3B, %2F, Unicode
Find percent encodings for URL special characters fast: space %20, semicolon %3B, slash %2F, plus %2B, reserved chars, and Unicode examples.
UTF-8 and Unicode in URL Encoding: International Characters Guide
Learn how Unicode characters and international text are handled in URLs. Understand UTF-8 byte encoding, IDN/Punycode for domain names, and multilingual best practices.
What Is URL Encoding? A Complete Guide to Percent-Encoding
Learn what URL encoding (percent-encoding) is, why it exists, and how it transforms special characters into a safe format for use in web addresses.
Recommended Learning Path
- Learn what percent-encoding is and which characters are reserved.
- Compare `encodeURI`, `encodeURIComponent`, and `URLSearchParams` before building links in JavaScript.
- Review query parameter rules for API requests, redirect URLs, and form submissions.
- Use the encoder on the homepage to test edge cases like spaces, plus signs, Unicode, and already-encoded strings.
Need to Encode a URL?
Encode and decode URLs instantly — supports encodeURIComponent, encodeURI, path encoding, and batch processing.
Open URL Encoder