HTML Entity Encoder / Decoder
Encode characters like < > & to HTML entities, or decode named/numeric entities back to readable text.
Common Entities Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
What are HTML entities?
HTML entities are codes that represent characters with special meaning in HTML, such as < for <, > for >, and & for &. Using them lets you display these characters as text instead of having the browser interpret them as markup.
When should I encode text to HTML entities?
Encode any user-supplied or dynamic text before placing it inside HTML to prevent it from breaking the page or enabling cross-site scripting (XSS). It is essential whenever you display content that may contain <, > or &.
What is the difference between named and numeric entities?
Named entities use readable codes like © while numeric entities use the character's code point, like ©. Both produce the same character; named entities are easier to read, numeric ones work for any character.
Can this tool decode entities back to characters?
Yes. Paste text containing entities and the tool converts them back to their original characters, all processed locally in your browser.