HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder
Our HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder is a free online tool that encodes special characters to HTML entities and decodes them back. Essential for web developers to prevent XSS attacks and display HTML content safely.
Features of HTML Entity Encoder
Our tool provides comprehensive encoding capabilities:
- Encode mode - Convert special characters to HTML entities
- Decode mode - Convert HTML entities back to characters
- Full encode option - Encode all characters including letters
- Reference table - Quick lookup for common entities
- Client-side processing - Your code stays private
- Works offline - Install as PWA for offline use
What are HTML Entities?
HTML entities are strings that begin with & and end with ;. They represent characters that have special meaning in HTML or characters that can't be easily typed on a keyboard.
Common HTML Entities
| Character | Entity Name | Numeric Entity |
|---|---|---|
| < | < | < |
| > | > | > |
| & | & | & |
| " | " | " |
| ' | ' | ' |
| © | © | © |
| € | € | € |
| space | |   |
How to Use HTML Entity Encoder
To Encode:
- Select the "Encode" tab
- Paste your HTML or text with special characters
- Optionally enable "Encode all characters"
- View the encoded output
- Copy using the Copy button
To Decode:
- Select the "Decode" tab
- Paste text containing HTML entities
- View the decoded output
- Copy using the Copy button
Why Use HTML Encoding?
Security (XSS Prevention)
Without encoding, user input containing <script> could execute malicious code. Encoding converts it to <script> which displays as text.
Correct Display
Characters like < and > have meaning in HTML. Encoding ensures they display correctly instead of being interpreted as tags.
FAQs About HTML Entity Encoder
What gets encoded by default?
The basic special characters: < > & " ' = /`
What does "Encode all characters" do?
It converts every character to its numeric entity, useful for maximum compatibility or obfuscation.
Is it safe to use?
Yes! All processing happens in your browser. We don't see or store your data.
When should I encode HTML?
Always encode user-generated content before displaying it in HTML to prevent XSS attacks.
Use Cases
- Web development - Safely display user input
- Security - Prevent XSS injection attacks
- Email templates - Encode special characters in HTML emails
- CMS content - Prepare content for content management systems
- Code display - Show HTML code examples on web pages
- Data storage - Safely store HTML in databases