escape()

The deprecated escape() function computes a new string in which certain characters have been replaced by a hexadecimal escape sequence. Use encodeURI or encodeURIComponent instead.

Syntax

JavaScript
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

JavaScript
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 2017 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 Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla 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

Deprecated JavaScript