# host(percentEncoded:) Returns the host component of the URL, optionally removing any percent-encoding. ``` func host(percentEncoded: Bool = true) -> String? ``` ## Parameters `percentEncoded` A Boolean value that indicates whether the URL percent-encodes any unreserved characters. Defaults to `true`. ## Return Value The fragment component of the URL, optionally percent-encoding any unreserved characters. ## Discussion The system doesn’t allow certain characters in the URL host component, so [`URL`](/documentation/Foundation/URL) percent-encodes those characters to create a valid URL. Calling this function with `percentEncoded = false` removes any percent-encoding and returns the unencoded host. If the URL doesn’t contain a host component according to [RFC 3986](https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3986.txt), this function returns `nil`. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)