URL Encode / Decode

Convert text to and from percent-encoded URL strings. Use this tool to prepare query parameters, debug redirects, inspect encoded URLs, and mirror the behavior of the HeffTools URL API in your own automation.

Input

Output

What Is URL Encoding?

URL encoding, also known as percent-encoding, replaces unsafe characters with % followed by two hexadecimal digits. This makes the URL safe to send over HTTP and compatible with browsers and servers.

For example:

(space) → %20
? → %3F
& → %26

Common Use Cases

Encoding query parameters before appending them to a URL.
Decoding URLs from logs or error messages for easier reading.
Testing webhooks, redirects, and callback URLs.
Debugging integration issues where special characters break URLs.

When to Encode vs Decode

Encode when you start with plain text (like a search term or JSON) that will go into a URL.
Decode when you have an encoded URL or query string and want to see the original characters.
Always encode values going into query parameters, not the full URL. For example encode just hello world, then attach it as ?q=hello%20world.

API Usage

These tools are backed by the HeffTools API. You can call the same endpoints directly from scripts and services:

POST /api/v1/url/encode
{
  "text": "https://hefftools.dev/?q=hello world"
}

POST /api/v1/url/decode
{
  "text": "https%3A%2F%2Fhefftools.dev%2F%3Fq%3Dhello%20world"
}

Example encoded response:

{
  "encoded":"https%3A%2F%2Fhefftools.dev%2F%3Fq%3Dhello%20world",
  "input":"https://hefftools.dev/?q=hello world"
}