HTML Entity Encoder and Decoder
Convert special characters into safe HTML entities or decode them back instantly with this free HTML Entity Encoder and Decoder.
This advanced tool supports automatic encode/decode detection and multiple output formats including HTML entities, JavaScript escape strings, and JSON-safe strings.
It helps developers, bloggers, and web designers safely display code snippets, sanitize user input, and prevent markup conflicts when working with HTML, JavaScript, or CMS editors.
Instantly sanitize strings for HTML, JavaScript, and JSON payloads.
What Are HTML Entities?
HTML entities are special character codes used to display reserved characters in HTML. Because characters like <, >, and & are actively interpreted by web browsers as structural HTML markup, they must be converted (encoded) into entities such as <, >, and & in order to display correctly as visible text on a web page.
Common HTML Entities Reference
Below is a quick reference table of the most commonly escaped characters in web development:
| Character | Name | HTML Entity Code |
|---|---|---|
| < | Less than | < |
| > | Greater than | > |
| & | Ampersand | & |
| " | Double quote | " |
| ' | Single quote (apostrophe) | ' |
| © | Copyright symbol | © |
Why Do Developers Escape Strings?
Escaping strings is a critical security and functional requirement in software development. If a user inputs a string containing a double quote (") into a JSON payload or a JavaScript variable, it can prematurely terminate the string and break the entire script. In severe cases, failing to encode HTML inputs leaves your website vulnerable to XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks, where malicious users inject raw <script> tags into your database.
How to Use the HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
When displaying code snippets on a webpage, special characters like <, >, and & can confuse web browsers, causing them to execute the text as actual code rather than displaying it. Our free HTML Entity Converter translates these dangerous characters into "safe" browser-readable entities (like < or &) instantly.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Step 1: Paste Your Code. Click inside the top text box and paste the text or HTML code you need to convert.
- Step 2: Choose Your Action.
- Click Encode Entities (Blue Button) to sanitize standard text so it can be safely displayed on a webpage without breaking your layout.
- Click Decode Entities (Green Button) to translate a block of HTML entities back into readable, standard text formatting.
- Step 3: Copy Your Output. Your processed text will appear in the bottom box. Click "Copy Result" to save it to your clipboard for use in your CMS or code editor.
🔒 Privacy Disclaimer
This tool operates entirely on client-side JavaScript. Your code snippets and text are processed locally within your web browser. We do not transmit, track, or save any of your data to our servers.