Punycode is a special encoding system used to convert Unicode characters (like ñ, ü, or Chinese characters) into the limited set of ASCII characters that are allowed in domain names. This makes international domain names possible.

Punycode Converter - Online IDN Encoder & Decoder

Q: Why do domain names need Punycode?

The internet's Domain Name System (DNS) only understands basic Latin letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens. Punycode translates special international characters into this format so the DNS can process them correctly, enabling a global, multilingual internet.

Q: What does the `xn--` prefix mean?

The `xn--` prefix is an identifier that signals a domain name contains Punycode-encoded characters. When a browser sees this prefix, it knows to decode the domain back into its original Unicode characters to display it correctly to the user.

Q: Can I convert any text with this tool?

Yes. While its main use is for domain names, the Punycode algorithm can encode and decode any text string that contains Unicode characters. You can use it to convert any word or phrase.

Q: Is this Punycode converter secure?

Yes, it is completely secure. All conversions happen directly in your web browser using JavaScript. Your data is never sent to our servers, ensuring your privacy.

Tools

Punycode Converter

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Enter Text or Domain (Unicode):

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Punycode (ASCII) Output:

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About the Punycode Converter

Have you ever seen a domain name that starts with xn--? That's Punycode in action! We built this tool to make it easy to translate domain names and text between standard text (Unicode) and the special Punycode format. This is essential for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), which are domain names that include special characters like ñ, ü, or even characters from other languages like Arabic or Chinese.

Our tool provides a simple, two-way conversion that happens instantly as you type. You can enter a regular domain name with special characters to see its Punycode version, or you can paste in a Punycode string to find out what it really says. Since the entire conversion happens in your browser, it's super fast and your data stays completely private.

How to Use This Tool

To encode, simply type or paste your text with special characters (e.g., mañana.com) into the top box. The Punycode version will appear in the bottom box instantly.
To decode, type or paste a Punycode string (one starting with xn--) into the bottom box. The original, readable text will appear in the top box right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Punycode?

Punycode is an encoding system that converts Unicode characters into a limited set of ASCII characters. This is important because the Domain Name System (DNS), which is like the internet's phonebook, only understands a small set of basic Latin letters, numbers, and hyphens. Punycode translates special characters into a format that the DNS can handle.

Why do domain names need Punycode?

Domain names can only use letters 'a' through 'z', numbers '0' through '9', and the hyphen '-'. To allow for domain names with international characters, those characters must be translated into the allowed ASCII characters. Punycode is the standard way to do this, making the global internet accessible to everyone.

What does the `xn--` prefix mean?

The `xn--` prefix is a signal that tells a web browser or other software that the following characters are a Punycode-encoded string. When a browser sees a domain starting with `xn--`, it knows it needs to decode it back into Unicode to display the proper international characters to the user.

Can I convert any text with this tool?

Yes, you can. While Punycode is mainly used for domain names, the algorithm can encode and decode any text string containing Unicode characters. You can use it to convert any word or phrase, not just domains.

Is this Punycode converter secure?

Yes. All the encoding and decoding is done directly on your computer, inside your web browser. Your text is never sent to our servers, which means your data is completely private and the tool is extremely fast.