HTML Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode HTML entities
This free online html encoder/decoder runs in your browser and is part of our Developer Tools collection.

HTML Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode HTML entities. Protect special characters for safe HTML display.

Common HTML Entities:

  • < → &lt;
  • > → &gt;
  • & → &amp;
  • " → &quot;
  • ' → &#39;
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Instant In-Browser Execution Runs locally in JavaScript without wait times or server delays.
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100% Privacy & Security Your inputs and files are never stored or logged on remote servers.
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Cross-Device Responsive Fully optimized for mobile smartphones, tablets, and desktop displays.
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100% Free Forever No subscription fees, no signups, and no software installations.

How to Use the Online HTML Encoder/Decoder

1 Select Mode (Encode or Decode)

Choose "Encode" to replace HTML markup with safe entities, or "Decode" to restore entities back to raw HTML characters.

2 Input Text or Code

Paste code containing `<script>`, quotes, ampersands, or special characters into the source panel.

3 Choose Entity Scope

Select whether to encode basic XML entities (`&`, `<`, `>`, `"`, `'`) or all extended Unicode named entities.

4 Copy Safe HTML Code

Click "Convert" and copy the sanitized entity string ready to embed safely inside HTML code blocks without executing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about using this free online html encoder/decoder.

Why is HTML entity encoding critical for web security? ▾
Encoding special characters like `<` into `&lt;` and `>` into `&gt;` prevents user-submitted strings from being parsed as executable HTML tags, neutralizing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.
What are the 5 standard pre-defined XML entities? ▾
`&amp;` (&), `&lt;` (<), `&gt;` (>), `&quot;` ("), and `&apos;` (').
What is the difference between Named Entities and Numeric Entities? ▾
Named entities use human-readable names like `&copy;` for the copyright symbol. Numeric entities use decimal (`&#169;`) or hexadecimal (`&#xA9;`) character codes.
Can I decode double-encoded HTML entities? ▾
Yes. If a string has been mistakenly encoded twice (e.g. `&amp;amp;`), running the decoder will restore it step by step.

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