URL Encode — Free Online Tool

URL encode converts raw text into percent-encoding so it can be safely placed inside URLs, query parameters, and fragments. SWEDevTools: Prism encodes locally in your browser (no server), supports Unicode, and provides an “encode all” option to percent-encode every non-alphanumeric character for strict cases. Paste your value, click Run, and copy the encoded output for API calls, tests, or documentation. Because SWEDevTools: Prism is local-first and works offline as an installable PWA, you can encode sensitive parameters without exposing them to third-party websites, and you can chain URL encoding with Base64, hashing, and compression tools in a pipeline. This makes request building and test case creation more predictable across environments.

Features

• Standards-aligned encoding: Predictable encodeURIComponent-style behavior.
• Encode-all option: Encodes even normally-safe characters like -_.~ when enabled.
• Local-first privacy: No server processing for sensitive values.
• Pipeline-ready: Chain URL encoding into other tools.
• Batch URL encoding: Encode multiple strings at once for bulk operations.
• RFC 3986 compliant: Follows the latest URL encoding standard for maximum compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is URL encoding?

Encoding special characters as %XX so URLs remain valid.

Should I encode a whole URL?

Usually encode components (like parameter values), not the entire URL.

Does it handle Unicode?

Yes—Unicode is encoded as UTF-8 bytes then percent-encoded.

What does Encode All do?

It percent-encodes all non-alphanumeric characters for stricter output.

Why does space become %20?

Space is percent-encoded as %20 in URL encoding.

Do you upload my data?

No—processing is local.

How do I decode the result?

Use URL Decode.

Can I run offline?

Yes—install the PWA.

What characters need URL encoding?

Any character outside the unreserved set (letters, digits, hyphen, period, underscore, tilde) must be percent-encoded when used in a URL component. This includes spaces, ampersands, equals signs, slashes, question marks, and all Unicode characters beyond basic ASCII.

Is URL encoding the same as percent encoding?

Yes, URL encoding and percent encoding refer to the same process defined by RFC 3986. Each unsafe character is replaced with a percent sign followed by two hexadecimal digits representing its byte value, such as %20 for a space or %26 for an ampersand.

Can I encode entire URLs or just parameters?

You should generally encode individual components like query parameter values rather than the entire URL, because encoding structural characters like :// and / would break the URL format. Use the tool on specific values you are inserting into a URL template.

What happened to smalldev.tools?

smalldev.tools is no longer available. Prism by SWEDevTools offers the same developer tools and more, with offline support, pipeline chaining, and completely free usage — no signup required.

Is Prism a good alternative to urlencoder.org?

Yes. Prism handles URL encoding and decoding entirely in your browser with offline support, no ads, and pipeline chaining. Your URLs and data stay completely private.