Encode a URL for an API Request
Percent-encode path and query values before calling an API. Avoid 400s caused by spaces, Unicode and reserved characters.
Part of the free URL Encoder. Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Encode a URL for an API Request
REST paths and query strings are not “just strings”. A user ID that contains a slash, or a filter that contains &, must be encoded or the server sees a different path. Encode each inserted value.
Worked example: A filter value in a query
Text
status=on hold & city=São Paulo
Encoded
filter=status%3Don%20hold%20%26%20city%3DS%C3%A3o%20Paulo
Practical tip
Most HTTP clients encode for you if you pass params as an object. Encoding again produces %2520. Check before you double-encode.
How to use this URL Encoder
- 1Use the live tool above — it runs entirely in your browser and never uploads your data.
- 2Paste the sample from the worked example, or use your own input.
- 3Copy the result, then adapt the same steps in your editor, script, or pipeline.
Encode a URL for an API Request FAQs
Should I encode the base URL?
No. Leave https://host/path as it is. Encode only the values you interpolate.
What about JSON bodies?
JSON in a POST body is not URL-encoded. Use JSON.stringify and Content-Type: application/json.
More URL Encoder pages
- URL Encode Spaces to %20Turn spaces into %20 with encodeURIComponent. See the difference between %20 and +, and encode any string online.
- encodeURIComponent OnlineRun encodeURIComponent in the browser. Encode query values, JSON snippets and reserved characters exactly as JavaScript does.
- URL Encode Special CharactersPercent-encode &, =, ?, # and / so they can sit safely inside a query value. Free online URL encoder.
- Encode Query String ParametersPercent-encode query parameter values before building a URL. Avoid broken requests caused by spaces, ampersands and Unicode.
- URL Encode UTF-8 and UnicodePercent-encode accents, non-Latin letters and emoji as UTF-8 bytes. See why café becomes caf%C3%A9.
- HTML Form URL Encoding (Spaces as +)Encode text the way HTML forms do: spaces become +, and other reserved characters become %HH. application/x-www-form-urlencoded.
- encodeURI vs encodeURIComponentSee the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent on the same URL. Learn which one belongs in query values.
- Bulk URL EncoderURL-encode many lines at once. Paste a list of values or URLs and encode each line independently.
- URL Encode & and =Encode & as %26 and = as %3D so they can appear inside a single query value without breaking the string.