diff --git a/IPython/html/utils.py b/IPython/html/utils.py
index 6bb2ae4..500d152 100644
--- a/IPython/html/utils.py
+++ b/IPython/html/utils.py
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ Authors:
 #  the file COPYING, distributed as part of this software.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+import os
+from urllib import quote, unquote
+
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Imports
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -24,9 +27,25 @@ def url_path_join(*pieces):
     """
     initial = pieces[0].startswith('/')
     final = pieces[-1].endswith('/')
-    striped = [s.strip('/') for s in pieces]
-    result = '/'.join(s for s in striped if s)
+    stripped = [s.strip('/') for s in pieces]
+    result = '/'.join(s for s in stripped if s)
     if initial: result = '/' + result
     if final: result = result + '/'
     if result == '//': result = '/'
     return result
+
+def path2url(path):
+    """Convert a local file path to a URL"""
+    pieces = [ quote(p) for p in path.split(os.path.sep) ]
+    # preserve trailing /
+    if pieces[-1] == '':
+        pieces[-1] = '/'
+    url = url_path_join(*pieces)
+    return url
+
+def url2path(url):
+    """Convert a URL to a local file path"""
+    pieces = [ unquote(p) for p in url.split('/') ]
+    path = os.path.join(*pieces)
+    return path
+