Why do I need to encode HTML entities?

HTML entities are essential for displaying special characters correctly in HTML. They prevent browsers from interpreting characters like as HTML tags, and they allow you to display characters that aren't on your keyboard.

What's the difference between named and numeric entities?

Named entities use text codes like & for &, while numeric entities use numbers like &. Both produce the same result, but named entities are more readable while numeric entities work for any character.

Can I format HTML code with this tool?

Yes! In addition to encoding/decoding HTML entities, our tool can format HTML code with proper indentation or minify it by removing unnecessary whitespace and comments.

Is the HTML entity encoder free to use?

Yes, absolutely! Our HTML entity encoder is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or usage limits. You can encode, decode, and format as much HTML as you need.

Do you store my HTML code?

No, absolutely not. All HTML processing happens entirely in your browser. We never see, store, transmit, or have any access to your HTML code. Your privacy is completely protected.

🔤 HTML Tools - Entity Encoder/Decoder & Formatter

Encode and decode HTML entities, format and minify HTML code. Convert special characters to HTML entities, beautify HTML with proper indentation, or compress it for production.

Tool Mode:

Conversion Mode:

Auto-convert on input change

Text to Encode

0 characters

Quick Examples:

Common HTML Entities Reference

Special Characters

Symbols

©©

®®

™™

€€

££

Arrows

→→

←←

↑↑

↓↓

↔↔

What are HTML Entities?

HTML entities are special codes used to represent characters that have special meaning in HTML or characters that cannot be easily typed on a keyboard. They allow you to display characters like <, >, &, quotes, and special symbols safely in HTML documents.

HTML entities start with an ampersand (&) and end with a semicolon (;). They can be either named entities (like < for <) or numeric entities (like < for < or < in hexadecimal).

How to Use Our HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder

Choose Mode: Select "Encode" to convert text to HTML entities, or "Decode" to convert HTML entities back to text.
Enter Your Text: Paste or type your text in the input field. For encoding, enter HTML code or text with special characters. For decoding, enter HTML entities.
View Results: The converted text will appear in the output field automatically (if auto-convert is enabled) or click the convert button.
Copy Results: Click the copy button to copy the converted text to your clipboard for use in your projects.
Use Examples: Click on any example to quickly test the tool with common use cases.

Common Use Cases

🔒 XSS Protection

Encode user input before displaying it in HTML to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. This is essential for web security when displaying user-generated content.

💻 Display HTML Code

When you need to show HTML code as text on a webpage (like in tutorials or documentation), encode the HTML tags so they display as text instead of being rendered.

📝 JSON/JavaScript

Encode HTML when embedding it in JSON or JavaScript strings to prevent syntax errors and ensure proper escaping of special characters.

🎨 Special Characters

Use HTML entities to display special characters, symbols, and Unicode characters that might not render correctly in all browsers or contexts.

Understanding HTML Entity Types

Named Entities

Named entities use a name to represent the character:

< for <
> for >
& for &
© for ©

Numeric Entities (Decimal)

Numeric entities use the character's Unicode code point in decimal:

< for <
> for >
© for ©

Numeric Entities (Hexadecimal)

Hexadecimal entities use the character's Unicode code point in hex:

< for <
> for >
© for ©

Frequently Asked Questions

What characters should I encode?

The most important characters to encode are: <, >, &, ", and '. These have special meaning in HTML and can break your page or create security vulnerabilities if not properly encoded.

When should I use HTML entities?

Use HTML entities when: displaying user input in HTML (for security), showing HTML code as text, embedding HTML in JSON/JavaScript, or displaying special characters that might not render correctly.

What's the difference between encoding and escaping?

HTML encoding and HTML escaping are essentially the same thing. Both refer to converting special characters to HTML entities. The terms are often used interchangeably.

Do I need to encode all special characters?

No, only encode characters that have special meaning in HTML (<, >, &) or characters that need to be displayed but might cause issues. Regular text and most punctuation don't need encoding.

Is my data stored or transmitted?

No, all encoding and decoding happens entirely in your browser. We never see, store, or transmit any of your text. Your privacy is completely protected.