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Free HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder

Convert special characters to HTML entities or decode HTML entities back to text instantly. All conversion happens in your browser for maximum security.

Last Updated: 15 Jan 2026

Plain Text

Encoded Output

What are HTML Entities?

HTML entities are special codes used to represent characters that have special meaning in HTML or characters that can't be easily typed. They start with an ampersand (&) and end with a semicolon (;). HTML entities ensure that special characters like <, >, &, and quotes display correctly in browsers without being interpreted as HTML tags or syntax.

HTML entity encoding is essential for web security (preventing XSS attacks), proper HTML rendering, and displaying special characters that might conflict with HTML syntax. Common HTML entities include < for <, > for >, & for &, and " for quotes.

Why Use Our Free HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder?

100% Client-Side

All encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Instant Conversion

Encode or decode HTML entities instantly as you type. No delays, no server requests. Get results immediately for faster development workflow.

Complete Entity Support

Supports all standard HTML entities including named entities (<, >) and numeric entities (<, >) for comprehensive encoding/decoding.

Common Use Cases for HTML Entity Encoding

Web Security

XSS Prevention
Encode user input before displaying it in HTML to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. Essential for secure web applications.
Content Sanitization
Encode special characters in user-generated content, comments, or form submissions to ensure safe HTML rendering.
Code Display
Encode code snippets, examples, or technical content in HTML to display them as text rather than executing them as HTML.

Content Management

Special Characters
Display special characters like copyright (©), trademark (™), or mathematical symbols (≠, ≤, ≥) using HTML entities.
Quotes & Apostrophes
Use HTML entities for smart quotes (“, ”) or apostrophes (') to ensure proper typography in HTML.
International Characters
Encode non-ASCII characters, accented letters, or Unicode characters using numeric HTML entities for compatibility.

Common HTML Entities

Character

Named Entity

Numeric Entity

Frequently Asked Questions

What are HTML entities?

HTML entities are codes used to represent special characters in HTML. They start with an ampersand (&) and end with a semicolon (;). For example, < represents <, > represents >, and & represents &. HTML entities ensure special characters display correctly and don't interfere with HTML syntax.

When should I use HTML entity encoding?

Use HTML entity encoding when you need to display special characters (<, >, &, quotes) in HTML content without them being interpreted as HTML tags or syntax. This is essential for security (preventing XSS attacks) and proper HTML rendering.

What's the difference between HTML entities and URL encoding?

HTML entities encode special characters for safe display in HTML (e.g., < for <). URL encoding (percent encoding) encodes characters for safe transmission in URLs (e.g., %20 for space). They serve different purposes and use different encoding schemes.

Is my data secure when using this tool?

Yes, all HTML entity encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

What's the difference between named and numeric entities?

Named entities use text names (like < for <) and are easier to remember. Numeric entities use numbers (like < for <) and work for any Unicode character. Both produce the same result.

Do I need to encode all special characters?

Not all characters need encoding. Only encode characters that have special meaning in HTML (<, >, &, quotes) or characters that might cause rendering issues. Regular letters and numbers don't need encoding.

Can I use HTML entities in JavaScript?

HTML entities work in HTML content. In JavaScript strings, use escape sequences (\<, \>) or Unicode escapes (\u003C). HTML entities are decoded by the browser when rendering HTML.

What about double encoding?

Double encoding occurs when already-encoded entities are encoded again (e.g., &lt;). This creates issues. Always decode first, then re-encode if needed. Our tool handles both encoding and decoding correctly.