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escape

The escape() function computes a new string in which certain characters have been replaced by a hexadecimal escape sequence.

Syntax

escape(str)

Parameters

str
A string to be encoded.

Return value

A new string in which certain characters have been escaped.

Description

The escape function is a property of the global object. Special characters are encoded with the exception of: @*_+-./

The hexadecimal form for characters, whose code unit value is 0xFF or less, is a two-digit escape sequence: %xx. For characters with a greater code unit, the four-digit format %uxxxx is used.

Examples

escape('abc123');     // "abc123"
escape('äöü');        // "%E4%F6%FC"
escape('ć');          // "%u0107"

// special characters
escape('@*_+-./');    // "@*_+-./"

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) Standard Initial definition.
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'escape' in that specification.
Standard Defined in the (informative) Compatibility Annex B
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'escape' in that specification.
Standard Defined in the (normative) Annex B for Additional ECMAScript Features for Web Browsers
ECMAScript Latest Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'escape' in that specification.
Draft Defined in the (normative) Annex B for Additional ECMAScript Features for Web Browsers

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Feature Android webview Chrome for Android Edge mobile Firefox for Android Opera Android iOS Safari Samsung Internet
Basic support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ?

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/escape