IDN Encode
Convert international domain names to Punycode format
What is an IDN Encode Tool or Punycode Converter?
I love domain names and the way they connect people to content around the world. Many domains include characters outside the basic English alphabet. Web infrastructure relies on ASCII letters in DNS records. The Internationalized Domain Name standard uses a system called Punycode to map Unicode characters into ASCII.
An IDN encode tool transforms any Unicode domain into its Punycode form. This ensures that browsers and servers can resolve the domain without error. Examples include accent marks in names like café or non-Latin scripts such as Chinese. Without Punycode you would lose compatibility. This tool makes the conversion instantly in your browser.
What Does Our IDN Encode Tool Do?
Our tool uses the official punycode.js library to guarantee accurate results. It runs fully in your browser without sending any data to a server. You paste or type a domain into a large input box. When you click the Encode IDN button, the tool checks for valid characters and emptiness. It then calls punycode.toASCII() behind the scenes. The result appears in a read-only text area below. Error messages guide you if the input is invalid. A Clear All button resets both boxes. You can use it offline after the library loads. All processing happens inside your tab for maximum privacy and speed.
What to Expect When Using This Tool
When you open the page you will see a clean interface with a title, description, and two large text areas stacked vertically. The top area is for your Unicode domain input. The bottom area displays the Punycode output. You click one button to encode and another to clear. If you try to encode an empty string you will see a prompt to enter a domain. The design adapts to mobile screens by stacking buttons vertically. The grey and white palette ensures readability and fits seamlessly into any WordPress theme. There are no distracting ads or popups. Results appear instantly after you click the button.
Common Use Cases
There are several scenarios where you need Punycode conversion:
DNS Configuration: Domain control panels often accept only ASCII names. You use this tool to obtain the correct Punycode entry.
SSL Certificate Requests: Certificate authorities require ASCII domains. You paste the encoded form into the certificate order.
Automation Scripts: Build and deployment scripts generate domain lists. You test their output by encoding in the browser.
Link Verification: Check that hyperlinks on web pages use the correct ASCII format to avoid broken links.
Education and Demonstration: Show students or colleagues how Unicode maps to Punycode in real time without extra tools.
Input and Output Examples
Input: café.com
Output: xn--caf-dma.com
The accented letter “é” converts to “xn--caf-dma”.
Input: пример.рф
Output: xn--e1afmkfd.xn--p1ai
Here each Cyrillic label becomes ASCII with the “xn--” prefix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does Punycode start with xn--?
A1: The “xn--” prefix marks a label as Punycode under the DNS standard.
Q2: Can I encode multiple domains at once?
A2: This tool handles one domain per action. You can repeat for each domain.
Q3: What if I include https://?
A3: Remove the protocol and path. Enter only the domain name itself.
Q4: Does it work offline?
A4: Yes, after the punycode.js library loads from the CDN you can use it without network.
Q5: Is the output case-sensitive?
A5: Domains are case-insensitive. The tool returns all lowercase for consistency.
Q6: What if the input is invalid?
A6: You will see an error message. Make sure the domain uses valid Unicode points.
Q7: Why use a CDN for the library?
A7: A CDN provides fast delivery and caching without hosting the file yourself.
Q8: Can I integrate this in my own code?
A8: Yes, include punycode.js and call punycode.toASCII(yourDomain) in your script.
Q9: Does it support emoji domains?
A9: Yes, emoji domains like 😀.ws convert correctly under Punycode.
Q10: Where can I learn more about IDN?
A10: Consult the IETF RFC 3492 for the official Punycode specification.
Benefits of Using IDN Encode
This tool brings clear advantages. It runs entirely in your browser without installation. You get instant, reliable results. No data leaves your tab so your domains remain private. The interface is simple and does not distract. You save time by avoiding manual lookups. It works on desktop and mobile. You avoid typos in DNS entries. You ensure compatibility across all platforms that expect ASCII domains.
Best Practices
Always validate domain syntax before encoding. Use lowercase input for uniform results. Retain the original domain alongside its Punycode form for reference. Test the encoded domain in your DNS panel before publishing. Clear input and output between conversions. Keep a local copy if you do batch processing. Use caching if you repeat the same conversion often. Review error messages carefully to correct typos.
Getting Started
- Scroll to the IDN Encode tool at the top of this page.
- Paste your Unicode domain into the first text area.
- Click the Encode IDN button.
- Copy the Punycode result from the second text area.
- Use that result in your DNS settings or scripts.
- Click Clear All to reset and encode another domain.
