diff --git a/doc/basics.md b/doc/basics.md
index 5804aaace..d3354e51b 100644
--- a/doc/basics.md
+++ b/doc/basics.md
@@ -169,8 +169,10 @@ For efficiency reasons, simdjson requires a string with a few bytes (`simdjson::
 at the end, these bytes may be read but their content does not affect the parsing. In practice,
 it means that the JSON inputs should be stored in a memory region with `simdjson::SIMDJSON_PADDING`
 extra bytes at the end. You do not have to set these bytes to specific values though you may
-want to if you want to avoid runtime warnings with some sanitizers. Advanced users may want to
-read the section Free Padding in [our performance notes](performance.md).
+want to if you want to avoid runtime warnings with some sanitizers. We expect the user
+of the library to load the data (from disk or from the network) into a padded buffer. To make
+this easy, we provide the `padded_string::load` function which loads files from disk in a padded buffer.
+[You can similarly fetch a file from a URL to a padded string](https://github.com/simdjson/curltostring) using our `simdjson::padded_string_builder`. Advanced users may want to read the section Free Padding in [our performance notes](performance.md).
 
 The simdjson library offers a tree-like [API](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API), which you can
 access by creating a `ondemand::parser` and calling the `iterate()` method. The iterate method
diff --git a/doc/dom.md b/doc/dom.md
index c936e6a37..bbd8c0748 100644
--- a/doc/dom.md
+++ b/doc/dom.md
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ auto json = padded_string::load("twitter.json"); // load JSON file 'twitter.json
 dom::element doc = parser.parse(json);
 ```
 
+[You can similarly fetch a file from a URL to a padded string](https://github.com/simdjson/curltostring) using our `simdjson::padded_string_builder`.
+
 (Windows users compiling with C++17 or better may use `wchar_t` strings to support non-ASCII
 filenames: `padded_string::load(L"twitter.json")`.)
 
diff --git a/include/simdjson/padded_string-inl.h b/include/simdjson/padded_string-inl.h
index edc8de10a..928814691 100644
--- a/include/simdjson/padded_string-inl.h
+++ b/include/simdjson/padded_string-inl.h
@@ -126,6 +126,33 @@ inline const char *padded_string::data() const noexcept { return data_ptr; }
 
 inline char *padded_string::data() noexcept { return data_ptr; }
 
+inline bool padded_string::append(const char *data, size_t length) noexcept {
+  if (length == 0) {
+    return true; // Nothing to append
+  }
+  size_t new_size = viable_size + length;
+  if (new_size < viable_size) {
+    // Overflow, cannot append
+    return false;
+  }
+  char *new_data_ptr = internal::allocate_padded_buffer(new_size);
+  if (new_data_ptr == nullptr) {
+    // Allocation failed, cannot append
+    return false;
+  }
+  // Copy existing data
+  if (viable_size > 0) {
+    std::memcpy(new_data_ptr, data_ptr, viable_size);
+  }
+  // Copy new data
+  std::memcpy(new_data_ptr + viable_size, data, length);
+  // Update
+  delete[] data_ptr;
+  data_ptr = new_data_ptr;
+  viable_size = new_size;
+  return true;
+}
+
 inline padded_string::operator std::string_view() const simdjson_lifetime_bound { return std::string_view(data(), length()); }
 
 inline padded_string::operator padded_string_view() const noexcept simdjson_lifetime_bound {
@@ -242,6 +269,103 @@ inline simdjson_result<padded_string> padded_string::load(std::wstring_view file
 }
 #endif
 
+// padded_string_builder implementations
+
+inline padded_string_builder::padded_string_builder() noexcept = default;
+
+inline padded_string_builder::padded_string_builder(size_t new_capacity) noexcept {
+  if (new_capacity > 0) {
+    data = internal::allocate_padded_buffer(new_capacity);
+    if (data != nullptr) {
+      this->capacity = new_capacity;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+inline padded_string_builder::padded_string_builder(padded_string_builder &&o) noexcept
+    : size(o.size), capacity(o.capacity), data(o.data) {
+  o.size = 0;
+  o.capacity = 0;
+  o.data = nullptr;
+}
+
+inline padded_string_builder &padded_string_builder::operator=(padded_string_builder &&o) noexcept {
+  if (this != &o) {
+    delete[] data;
+    size = o.size;
+    capacity = o.capacity;
+    data = o.data;
+    o.size = 0;
+    o.capacity = 0;
+    o.data = nullptr;
+  }
+  return *this;
+}
+
+inline padded_string_builder::~padded_string_builder() noexcept {
+  delete[] data;
+}
+
+inline bool padded_string_builder::append(const char *newdata, size_t length) noexcept {
+  if (length == 0) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (!reserve(length)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  std::memcpy(data + size, newdata, length);
+  size += length;
+  return true;
+}
+
+inline bool padded_string_builder::append(std::string_view sv) noexcept {
+  return append(sv.data(), sv.size());
+}
+
+inline size_t padded_string_builder::length() const noexcept {
+  return size;
+}
+
+inline padded_string padded_string_builder::build() const noexcept {
+  return padded_string(data, size);
+}
+
+inline padded_string padded_string_builder::convert() noexcept {
+  padded_string result{};
+  result.data_ptr = data;
+  result.viable_size = size;
+  data = nullptr;
+  size = 0;
+  capacity = 0;
+  return result;
+}
+
+inline bool padded_string_builder::reserve(size_t additional) noexcept {
+  size_t needed = size + additional;
+  if (needed <= capacity) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  size_t new_capacity = needed;
+  // We are going to grow the capacity exponentially to avoid
+  // repeated allocations.
+  if (new_capacity < 4096) {
+    new_capacity *= 2;
+  } else {
+    new_capacity += new_capacity/2; // grow by 1.5x
+  }
+  char *new_data = internal::allocate_padded_buffer(new_capacity);
+  if (new_data == nullptr) {
+    return false; // Allocation failed
+  }
+  if (size > 0) {
+    std::memcpy(new_data, data, size);
+  }
+  delete[] data;
+  data = new_data;
+  capacity = new_capacity;
+  return true;
+}
+
 } // namespace simdjson
 
 inline simdjson::padded_string operator ""_padded(const char *str, size_t len) {
diff --git a/include/simdjson/padded_string.h b/include/simdjson/padded_string.h
index 9f42530bb..c036c2ead 100644
--- a/include/simdjson/padded_string.h
+++ b/include/simdjson/padded_string.h
@@ -98,6 +98,16 @@ struct padded_string final {
    **/
   char *data() noexcept;
 
+  /**
+   * Append data to the padded string. Return true on success, false on failure.
+   * The complexity is O(n) where n is the new size of the string. If you are
+   * doing multiple appends, consider using padded_string_builder for better performance.
+   *
+   * @param data the buffer to append
+   * @param length the number of bytes to append
+   */
+  inline bool append(const char *data, size_t length) noexcept;
+
   /**
    * Create a std::string_view with the same content.
    */
@@ -141,6 +151,7 @@ struct padded_string final {
   #endif
 
 private:
+  friend class padded_string_builder;
   padded_string &operator=(const padded_string &o) = delete;
   padded_string(const padded_string &o) = delete;
 
@@ -149,6 +160,101 @@ private:
 
 }; // padded_string
 
+/**
+ * Builder for constructing padded_string incrementally.
+ *
+ * This class allows efficient appending of data and then building a padded_string.
+ */
+class padded_string_builder {
+public:
+  /**
+   * Create a new, empty padded string builder.
+   */
+  inline padded_string_builder() noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Create a new padded string builder with initial capacity.
+   *
+   * @param capacity the initial capacity of the builder.
+   */
+  inline padded_string_builder(size_t capacity) noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Move constructor.
+   */
+  inline padded_string_builder(padded_string_builder &&o) noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Move assignment.
+   */
+  inline padded_string_builder &operator=(padded_string_builder &&o) noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Copy constructor (deleted).
+   */
+  padded_string_builder(const padded_string_builder &) = delete;
+
+  /**
+   * Copy assignment (deleted).
+   */
+  padded_string_builder &operator=(const padded_string_builder &) = delete;
+
+  /**
+   * Destructor.
+   */
+  inline ~padded_string_builder() noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Append data to the builder.
+   *
+   * @param newdata the buffer to append
+   * @param length the number of bytes to append
+   * @return true if the append succeeded, false if allocation failed
+   */
+  inline bool append(const char *newdata, size_t length) noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Append a string view to the builder.
+   *
+   * @param sv the string view to append
+   * @return true if the append succeeded, false if allocation failed
+   */
+  inline bool append(std::string_view sv) noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Get the current length of the built string.
+   */
+  inline size_t length() const noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Build a padded_string from the current content. The builder's content
+   * is not modified. If you want to avoid the copy, use convert() instead.
+   *
+   * @return a padded_string containing a copy of the built content.
+   */
+  inline padded_string build() const noexcept;
+
+  /**
+   * Convert the current content into a padded_string. The
+   * builder's content is emptied, the capacity is lost.
+   *
+   * @return a padded_string containing the built content.
+   */
+  inline padded_string convert() noexcept;
+private:
+  size_t size{0};
+  size_t capacity{0};
+  char *data{nullptr};
+
+  /**
+   * Ensure the builder has enough capacity.
+   *
+   * @param additional the additional capacity needed.
+   * @return true if the reservation succeeded, false if allocation failed
+   */
+  inline bool reserve(size_t additional) noexcept;
+};
+
 /**
  * Send padded_string instance to an output stream.
  *
diff --git a/tests/padded_string_tests.cpp b/tests/padded_string_tests.cpp
index fb6e54ca3..78b1b3c0d 100644
--- a/tests/padded_string_tests.cpp
+++ b/tests/padded_string_tests.cpp
@@ -1,16 +1,141 @@
 
 #include "simdjson.h"
+#include "test_macros.h"
 
 #include <cstdlib>
 
 // this test is needed, because memcpy may be invoked on a null pointer
 // otherwise
-static void testNullString() {
+static bool testNullString() {
+  TEST_START();
   std::string_view empty;
   simdjson::padded_string blah(empty);
+  TEST_SUCCEED();
+}
+
+static bool testPaddedStringBuilder() {
+  TEST_START();
+
+  // Test empty builder
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder;
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 0);
+    auto result = builder.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(result.length(), 0);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "");
+  }
+
+  // Test appending data
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder;
+    const char* data = "Hello";
+    bool success = builder.append(data, 5);
+    ASSERT_TRUE(success);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 5);
+
+    auto result = builder.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(result.length(), 5);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "Hello");
+
+    // Builder should still have content
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 5);
+  }
+
+  // Test appending string_view
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder;
+    std::string_view sv = " World";
+    bool success = builder.append(sv);
+    ASSERT_TRUE(success);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 6);
+
+    auto result = builder.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(result.size(), 6);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), " World");
+  }
+
+  // Test multiple appends
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder;
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder.append("Hello", 5));
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder.append(" ", 1));
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder.append("World", 5));
+
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 11);
+
+    auto result = builder.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(result.size(), 11);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "Hello World");
+  }
+
+  // Test convert (move)
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder;
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder.append("Convert", 7));
+
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 7);
+
+    auto result = builder.convert();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(result.size(), 7);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "Convert");
+
+    // Builder should be empty after convert
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 0);
+
+    // Building again should give empty string
+    auto empty_result = builder.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(empty_result.size(), 0);
+  }
+
+  // Test initial capacity
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder(100);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 0);
+    // Capacity is internal, but we can test appending large data
+    std::string large_data(50, 'A');
+    bool success = builder.append(large_data.data(), large_data.size());
+    ASSERT_TRUE(success);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder.length(), 50);
+  }
+
+  // Test move constructor
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder1;
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder1.append("Move", 4));
+
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder2(std::move(builder1));
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder2.length(), 4);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder1.length(), 0); // moved from
+
+    auto result = builder2.build();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "Move");
+  }
+
+  // Test move assignment
+  {
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder1;
+    ASSERT_TRUE(builder1.append("Assign", 6));
+
+    simdjson::padded_string_builder builder2;
+    builder2 = std::move(builder1);
+
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder2.length(), 6);
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(builder1.length(), 0); // moved from
+
+    auto result = builder2.convert();
+    ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string_view(result), "Assign");
+  }
+
+  TEST_SUCCEED();
 }
 
 int main() {
-
-  testNullString();
+  if (!testNullString()) {
+    return EXIT_FAILURE;
+  }
+  if (!testPaddedStringBuilder()) {
+    return EXIT_FAILURE;
+  }
+  std::cout << "All tests passed!" << std::endl;
+  return EXIT_SUCCESS;
 }