JavaScript (ES2026) reference · JSON and Global Functions

JavaScript encodeURIComponent() Function

Encode a string for use as one part of a URL (a query value or path segment), escaping &, =, ?, / and spaces.

JavaScript (ES2026) Since ES3

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Syntax

encodeURIComponent(string)

Parameter	Description
`string`	The text to encode.

An encoded string.

Encode a query valueTry it yourself

const q = "tea & cake?";
console.log(`https://example.com/search?q=${encodeURIComponent(q)}`);

Output

https://example.com/search?q=tea%20%26%20cake%3F

URLSearchParams does it for youTry it yourself

console.log(new URLSearchParams({ q: "tea & cake?", page: 2 }).toString());

Output

q=tea+%26+cake%3F&page=2

Version	Change
JavaScript ES3	Added

decodeURIComponent() · Decode a URL component encoded by encodeURIComponent(), turning %20-style escapes back into characters.
encodeURI() · Encode a complete URL, leaving characters with special meaning in URLs (like :, /, ? and &) untouched.
JavaScript Fetch API · tutorial