JavaScript (ES2026) reference · JSON and Global Functions

JavaScript encodeURI() Function

Encode a complete URL, leaving characters with special meaning in URLs (like :, /, ? and &) untouched.

JavaScript (ES2026) Since ES3

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Syntax

encodeURI(uri)

Parameter	Description
`uri`	A full URL.

An encoded string.

Encode a whole URLTry it yourself

console.log(encodeURI("https://example.com/my file.pdf?name=Zoë"));

Output

https://example.com/my%20file.pdf?name=Zo%C3%AB

Not for query values: & is keptTry it yourself

const value = "a&b";
console.log(encodeURI(value), encodeURIComponent(value));

Output

a&b a%26b

Version	Change
JavaScript ES3	Added

encodeURIComponent() · Encode a string for use as one part of a URL (a query value or path segment), escaping &, =, ?, / and spaces.
decodeURI() · Decode a full URL encoded by encodeURI(), keeping escape sequences that represent reserved URL characters.
JavaScript Fetch API · tutorial