HTML entity encoder and decoder
Encode special characters to HTML entities or decode entities back to characters. Choose between named and numeric references.
- Free, no sign-up
- No data stored
- Reviewed 2026-01-15
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About the HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder
Encode characters like <, >, &, " and ' to their HTML entity equivalents, or decode entity strings back to readable text. Choose between named (&) and numeric (&) references.
How to use the HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder
- Paste text or HTML.
- Choose direction: encode or decode.
- Select scope: minimal (< > & ") or full.
- View the result.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use HTML entities?
Whenever user-generated content is displayed in HTML to prevent XSS. At minimum, encode < > & and " characters.
What is the difference between named and numeric?
Named entities (&, <) are readable. Numeric (&, <) work for any Unicode character. Both render the same in browsers.
Does this handle all Unicode?
Yes. Full mode encodes all non-ASCII characters to numeric entities. Minimal mode only encodes HTML-special characters.