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Punycode Converter - IDN Domain Name Encoder/Decoder

Punycode Converter

What is Punycode?

Punycode is a encoding syntax used to represent Unicode characters within the limited ASCII character set used by the Domain Name System (DNS). It allows internationalized domain names (IDN) that contain non-ASCII characters to be represented using only ASCII characters, making them compatible with existing DNS infrastructure.

Why is Punycode Important?

  • International Support: Enables domain names in non-Latin scripts (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, etc.)
  • DNS Compatibility: Works with existing DNS infrastructure that only supports ASCII
  • Browser Integration: Modern browsers automatically convert IDN domains to Punycode
  • Email Addresses: Supports international email addresses with non-ASCII characters
  • Global Accessibility: Makes the internet accessible to non-English speaking users

How to Use This Tool

  1. Enter Domain Name: Type a Unicode domain name or Punycode-encoded domain
  2. Select Mode: Choose whether to encode to Punycode or decode from Punycode
  3. Convert: Click the convert button to see the result
  4. Copy Result: Use the copy button to copy the converted domain name

Conversion Examples

Example 1: German Domain Unicode: münchen.de Punycode: xn--mnchen-3ya.de Example 2: Russian Domain Unicode: президент.рф Punycode: xn--d1abbgf6aiiy.xn--p1ai Example 3: Chinese Domain Unicode: 中国.cn Punycode: xn--fiqs8s.cn Example 4: Arabic Domain Unicode: السعودية.sa Punycode: xn--mgberp4a5d4ar.sa Example 5: Mixed Characters Unicode: café.fr Punycode: xn--caf-dma.fr

Understanding Punycode Format

Punycode-encoded domains always start with the prefix xn-- followed by the encoded string. This prefix signals that the domain name is Punycode-encoded and should be decoded for display.

Common Use Cases

  • Domain Registration: Register international domain names with hosting providers
  • Web Development: Configure servers to handle IDN domains correctly
  • Email Configuration: Set up email servers for international email addresses
  • DNS Management: Configure DNS records for internationalized domains
  • Security Analysis: Identify potential phishing attempts using similar-looking characters
  • SEO & Marketing: Create localized domain names for international markets

Security Considerations

Homograph Attacks: Be aware that some Unicode characters look identical to ASCII characters. Attackers can create fake domains that appear legitimate (e.g., using Cyrillic 'а' instead of Latin 'a'). Always verify domain names carefully, especially for sensitive operations like banking or authentication.

Browser Support

Modern browsers automatically handle Punycode conversion. When you enter a Unicode domain name in the address bar, the browser converts it to Punycode before sending the DNS request. The Unicode version is displayed to users for better readability.

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