Skip to main content

Punycode Converter — Convert International Domain Names

Convert international domain names (IDN) to and from Punycode with our Punycode Converter. The tool transforms Unicode domains like münchen.de into ASCII-compatible Punycode format (xn--mnchen-3ya.de) and vice versa. Supports all Unicode characters including emojis and special scripts. Auto mode converts instantly as you type. Ideal for web developers and system administrators working with international domains.

Features

  • Bidirectional Conversion: Unicode to Punycode and vice versa
  • Auto-Detection: Automatically detects input format
  • RFC 3492 Compliant: Full implementation of the Punycode standard
  • Batch Processing: Convert multiple domains at once (line by line)
  • Example Domains: Load sample international domains for testing
  • Real-Time Conversion: Auto-convert as you type

How Punycode Works

Punycode converts Unicode domain names to ASCII using a special encoding:

Unicode Domain

münchen.de

Punycode Domain

xn--mnchen-3ya.de

The encoding process:

  1. Extract ASCII characters (mnchen)
  2. Encode non-ASCII positions and values
  3. Add prefix xn-- to indicate Punycode
  4. Append encoded Unicode information (-3ya)

All Punycode domains start with xn--

Common International Domains

Unicode Punycode Language
münchen.dexn--mnchen-3ya.deGerman
zürich.chxn--zrich-kva.chGerman
москва.рфxn--80adxhks.xn--p1aiRussian
东京.jpxn--1lqs71d.jpJapanese
مصر.egxn--wgbh1c.egArabic
ελλάδα.grxn--qxam.grGreek

Use Cases

Domain Registration

  • Convert IDNs for DNS registration
  • Check domain availability
  • Email address encoding
  • SSL certificate generation

Web Development

  • URL handling in applications
  • Database storage of domains
  • API requests with IDNs
  • Internationalization (i18n)

Useful Resources

RFC 3492: Punycode Official IETF specification for Punycode encoding
ICANN: Internationalized Domain Names Overview of IDN implementation and policies
Wikipedia: Internationalized Domain Name Comprehensive information about IDN systems
Charset.org: Punycode Converter Additional Punycode conversion examples and information