What is the difference between URL encoding and Base64 encoding?

URL encoding (percent-encoding) escapes special characters so a string can appear safely in a URL. Base64 encoding converts arbitrary bytes into printable ASCII characters, which is useful for embedding binary data but produces strings about 33% larger.

When should I use HTML encoding instead of URL encoding?

Use HTML encoding when inserting dynamic text into HTML markup to prevent XSS attacks. Use URL encoding when constructing URLs or query strings. The two are different escaping mechanisms for different contexts.

Should I encode the entire URL or just the parameter values?

Encode only the values (and sometimes the keys) of query parameters, not the entire URL. Encoding the full URL would also escape the : // ? & = characters that give the URL its structure.

Encode Data for URLs Online

URLs have a restricted character set — spaces, ampersands, equals signs, and many other characters carry special meaning and must be encoded before they can safely appear in a query string or path segment. Failing to encode data correctly causes broken links, truncated parameters, and hard-to-diagnose bugs. devtoolkit.sh provides the three most commonly needed encoders in one place. URL Encode applies percent-encoding to convert special characters into their %XX equivalents, making any string safe to include in a query parameter. Base64 Encode converts binary or text data into a compact ASCII representation suitable for embedding in URLs or headers. HTML Encode escapes characters like < > & " into HTML entities to prevent injection issues when inserting dynamic values into HTML. Use these tools to prepare data for API calls, build deep links, embed payloads in query strings, or safely pass configuration through URL parameters.

%URL EncodeHOT

Encode text for safe use in URLs using percent-encoding.

B64Base64 EncodeHOT

Encode text or binary data to Base64 format.

&HTML Encode

Encode special HTML characters to their entity equivalents.

FAQ

What is the difference between URL encoding and Base64 encoding?: URL encoding (percent-encoding) escapes special characters so a string can appear safely in a URL. Base64 encoding converts arbitrary bytes into printable ASCII characters, which is useful for embedding binary data but produces strings about 33% larger.
When should I use HTML encoding instead of URL encoding?: Use HTML encoding when inserting dynamic text into HTML markup to prevent XSS attacks. Use URL encoding when constructing URLs or query strings. The two are different escaping mechanisms for different contexts.
Should I encode the entire URL or just the parameter values?: Encode only the values (and sometimes the keys) of query parameters, not the entire URL. Encoding the full URL would also escape the : // ? & = characters that give the URL its structure.