What does decode plus as space mean?

Some query strings encode spaces as plus signs. This option converts plus signs into spaces before decoding.

Encode / Decode • Line-by-line • Copy / Export

URL Encoder / Decoder

Q: What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

encodeURI keeps URL structure characters readable, while encodeURIComponent encodes all reserved characters and should be used for individual query values.

Q: When should I use component mode?

Component mode should be used when encoding or decoding individual query parameters, such as search terms or UTM values, not full URLs.

Q: Why does decoding sometimes fail?

Decoding can fail if the input contains malformed percent-encoded sequences. In such cases, the original text is kept unchanged.

Q: Why do I see values like %2520?

This indicates double encoding, where already encoded text is encoded again. Decode once before encoding again.

Q: Does this tool send my data to a server?

No. All processing happens locally in the browser and no data is uploaded.

Q: Can I process multiple URLs at once?

Yes. Line-by-line mode processes each line independently, allowing multiple URLs or strings in one run.

Encode or decode URLs safely using encodeURI / encodeURIComponent and decodeURI / decodeURIComponent.

Input

Mode

Encode Decode Use component mode Process line-by-line Decode + as space

“Component mode” encodes reserved characters like / ? & = #. Turn it off to keep full URLs readable.

Output

chars: 0 • words: 0 • lines: 0

Tip: For query values use component mode. For full URLs turn it off.

Quick interpretation

URL encoding helps keep URLs valid and prevents broken query strings when sharing or building links.

Encode before putting text into query parameters
Decode to inspect tracking links and parameters
Avoid double-encoding (turn into %2520)

FAQ

What does URL encoding actually do?

URL encoding converts unsafe or reserved characters into a valid format using percent-encoding. For example, a space becomes %20. This ensures URLs remain valid when shared, stored, or passed as query parameters.

What is the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent?

encodeURI keeps URL structure readable and does not encode characters like / ? & =. encodeURIComponent encodes everything except letters and numbers and should be used for individual query values.

When should I use “component mode”?

Use component mode when encoding or decoding query parameter values, such as search terms, UTM values, or user input. Disable it when working with full URLs to avoid breaking the structure.

Why does decoding sometimes fail?

Decoding fails when the input contains malformed percent sequences (for example, incomplete %XX values). In such cases, the tool keeps the original line unchanged to avoid data loss.

What does “decode + as space” mean?

Some systems encode spaces as + instead of %20. Enabling this option converts plus signs back into spaces before decoding, which is useful for form and query-string URLs.

Why do I see values like %2520?

%2520 means the text was encoded twice. First encoding turns a space into %20, and encoding again turns % into %25. Decode once before re-encoding.

Does this tool send my data to a server?

No. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser. URLs and text are never uploaded or stored on the server.

Can I process multiple URLs at once?

Yes. When “line-by-line” mode is enabled, each line is processed independently. This allows you to encode or decode multiple URLs or strings in a single run.