HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
What are HTML entities?
HTML entities are special codes that represent characters with reserved meaning in HTML. For instance, the less-than sign must be encoded to avoid being interpreted as a tag opening.
Similarly, the ampersand character marks the start of an entity reference. As a result, these characters must be encoded to display correctly in web browsers and prevent parsing errors.
How to use this HTML entity encoder and decoder
Select “Encode” to convert special characters into their HTML entity equivalents. This is essential when displaying code snippets or embedding user content in a webpage. Alternatively, select “Decode” to convert entities back to readable characters.
Additionally, the tool auto-converts as you type and includes a handy reference table of common entities. Furthermore, you can use the “Swap” button to quickly switch between encoding and decoding modes.
Why encode HTML entities?
Prevent XSS attacks — Encoding user input prevents cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Characters are neutralized so they cannot be interpreted as HTML tags. Therefore, encoding is a critical security practice for web developers.
Display code correctly — When showing HTML examples on a webpage, encoding ensures the browser renders code as visible text. Without encoding, the browser would interpret the code as actual markup.
Handle special characters — Copyright symbols, trademark signs, and mathematical symbols all have entity representations. Consequently, using entities ensures consistent rendering across all browsers.
Frequently asked questions
Which characters must be encoded?
Five characters must always be encoded: ampersand, less-than, greater-than, double quote, and single quote. In addition, non-breaking spaces and special symbols should be encoded for safety.
Is my data safe?
Yes. All encoding and decoding happens locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
Related developer tools
You might also need the URL Encoder for handling URL characters, the HTML Beautifier for formatting HTML code, or the Base64 Encoder for binary-to-text encoding.