Punycode Converter
Encode and decode internationalized domain names
Punycode Converter is a free online tool from BrowserUtils that encode and decode internationalized domain names. It runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No account required.
How to use Punycode Converter
- 1 Paste or type your input into the editor above.
- 2 The tool processes your data instantly — right in your browser, with nothing sent to a server.
- 3 Copy the result with one click or continue editing your input.
About Punycode Converter
Free online Punycode encoder and decoder. Convert internationalized domain names (IDN) to ASCII-compatible Punycode encoding and back. This tool runs entirely in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Just paste your input, get instant results, and copy with one click. No sign-up or installation required.
Punycode Converter specs
- Runtime
- 100% client-side (browser)
- Built on
- TextEncoder, TextDecoder, btoa/atob, and encodeURIComponent — all Web Platform APIs
- Cost
- Free — no account, no rate limits, no usage caps
- Browser support
- Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+
- Part of
- 299 developer tools on BrowserUtils (100% client-side)
Questions
What is Punycode?
Punycode is an encoding used to represent internationalized domain names (IDN) using only ASCII characters. For example, "munchen.de" with an umlaut becomes "xn--mnchen-3ya.de".
When is Punycode used?
Punycode is used by DNS and browsers to handle domain names containing non-ASCII characters such as accented letters, Chinese characters, or emoji.
Why do internationalized domains start with xn--?
The "xn--" prefix is the ACE (ASCII Compatible Encoding) prefix that signals to DNS that the label is Punycode-encoded and should be decoded for display.
Can I register a domain with non-ASCII characters?
Yes, many registrars support internationalized domain names. The domain is stored as Punycode in DNS but displayed with the original characters in most modern browsers.
How do I check if a Punycode domain is safe?
Convert the Punycode domain to see its actual Unicode characters. Some phishing attacks use lookalike characters from other scripts (homograph attacks), so always verify what characters a Punycode domain actually contains.
Does the Punycode converter run in my browser?
Yes, all encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser. No domain data is sent to a server.
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