HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder
Encode special characters to HTML entities or decode HTML entities back to characters.
HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder - Encode & Decode HTML Entities Online
Encode and decode HTML entities with our free online tool. Convert characters like <, >, &, and special symbols to their HTML entity equivalents.
Paste text into the input area and select encode or decode mode. Encoding converts special characters like angle brackets, ampersands, and quotes into their HTML entity equivalents (<, &, "). You can choose between named entities (more readable) and numeric entities (more universal). Decoding reverses the process, transforming entities back into their original characters. The tool handles extended Unicode characters and provides instant conversion as you type. All processing occurs in your browser using JavaScript string manipulation.
Web developers encode user-generated content before displaying it in HTML to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Technical writers preparing code examples for blogs encode angle brackets so <div> displays as literal text rather than rendering. SEO specialists decode scraped meta descriptions containing entities to analyze actual character length. Email marketers encode special characters in subject lines to ensure proper display across different email clients that handle raw ampersands or quotes inconsistently.
Always encode untrusted input before inserting it into HTML context—relying on frameworks is wise, but understanding the underlying mechanism prevents security gaps. Named entities (é) are more readable in source but not all entities have names; use numeric (é) for comprehensive coverage. When encoding for XML contexts, the required entity set is smaller (only &, <, >, ", '). Decode before performing character counts for validation— counts as one character, not six. Test encoding with non-ASCII characters to verify proper UTF-8 handling.
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device — no server uploads, no cloud storage, no data retention. The tool works offline once loaded, requires no registration, and is completely free with no usage limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What entities are supported?
All common named entities plus numeric ({) and hexadecimal ({) entities. Includes characters like &, <, >, ", copyright, trademark, and more.
When should I use HTML entities?
Use HTML entities when displaying special characters in HTML that could be interpreted as markup, such as < and > in code examples.
Can I decode numeric entities?
Yes, both decimal (€) and hexadecimal (€) numeric entities are decoded to their character equivalents.