HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
Convert special characters to HTML entities and decode entities back to readable text. Free and instant.
Input Text
Characters
0
Words
0
Output
Converted text will appear here
Characters
0
Words
0
Why Use HTML Entity Encoder?
Security
Prevent XSS attacks by encoding user input before displaying it in web pages.
Display Correctly
Show special characters like <, >, and & without them being interpreted as HTML.
Instant & Free
Convert unlimited text instantly. No sign-up, no waiting, completely free forever.
What are HTML Entities?
HTML entities are special codes used to represent reserved characters in HTML. These characters have special meaning in HTML syntax, so they must be encoded to be displayed as literal text rather than being interpreted as HTML markup.
Each entity begins with an ampersand (&) and ends with a semicolon (;). Entities can be named (like <) or numeric (like <). Named entities are easier to remember, while numeric entities can represent any Unicode character.
Common HTML Entities
| Character | Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| < | < | Less than |
| > | > | Greater than |
| & | & | Ampersand |
| " | " | Double quote |
| ' | ' | Single quote |
| / | / | Forward slash |
Why HTML Entity Encoding Matters
XSS Prevention
Encoding user input prevents malicious scripts from being executed when the content is displayed in a browser.
Correct Display
Show code snippets, mathematical expressions, or any text containing special characters properly.
Valid HTML
Ensure your HTML documents are well-formed and pass validation by properly encoding all special characters.
Email Content
HTML emails require entity encoding to display special characters correctly across email clients.
RSS Feeds
Content in RSS and Atom feeds must be entity-encoded to ensure compatibility with feed readers.
Database Storage
Encode content before storing to prevent SQL injection and ensure data integrity.
How to Use the HTML Entity Encoder
Enter Your Text
Paste HTML or text to encode, or HTML entities to decode.
Choose Your Action
Click "Encode to Entities" or "Decode from Entities".
View Results
See the converted text appear instantly in the output area.
Copy or Download
Copy to clipboard or download as a text file for later use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are HTML entities?
HTML entities are codes that represent special characters in HTML. They start with & and end with ; like < for the less-than symbol.
Why should I encode HTML entities?
Encoding prevents browsers from misinterpreting text as HTML code and protects against XSS (cross-site scripting) security vulnerabilities.
Is this tool free?
Yes, completely free with no limitations, registration, or hidden costs. Encode and decode unlimited text anytime.
Which characters need encoding?
The main characters that need encoding are: < > & " and ' (less than, greater than, ampersand, double quote, single quote).
What's the difference between named and numeric entities?
Named entities use words (&) while numeric use numbers (&). Both work the same; named are easier to read.
Is my data secure?
All processing happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy for your data.