encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent
See the difference between encodeURI and encodeURIComponent on the same URL. Learn which one belongs in query values.
Part of the free URL Encoder. Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent
encodeURI is for a complete URL: it leaves :, /, ?, # and & alone. encodeURIComponent is for one piece of a URL: it encodes those too. Using the wrong one is a common source of broken links.
Worked example: The same URL, both functions
Input
https://example.com/search?q=a b
Both results
encodeURI: https://example.com/search?q=a%20b encodeURIComponent: https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Da%20b
Practical tip
Rule of thumb: encodeURIComponent for values you insert; encodeURI only when the string is already a full URL with a few unsafe characters.
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.
encodeURI vs encodeURIComponent FAQs
Which one should I use for a query value?
encodeURIComponent. encodeURI would leave & and = in the value, which split the query.
What about path segments?
encodeURIComponent, then join with /. That encodes slashes that belong to the data.
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.
- Bulk URL EncoderURL-encode many lines at once. Paste a list of values or URLs and encode each line independently.
- Encode a URL for an API RequestPercent-encode path and query values before calling an API. Avoid 400s caused by spaces, Unicode and reserved characters.
- URL Encode & and =Encode & as %26 and = as %3D so they can appear inside a single query value without breaking the string.