HTML Entity Encoder

Encode and decode HTML entities with named and numeric formats

Raw HTML

Named Entities

Numeric Entities

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What is an HTML Entity Encoder?

An HTML Entity Encoder converts special characters like &, <, and > into their HTML entity equivalents so they display correctly in browsers without being interpreted as markup. This tool supports both named entities (&) and numeric entities (&), plus decoding back to raw text.

How to Use This HTML Entity Encoder

Choose Encode or Decode mode using the toggle at the top.
Paste your raw HTML or entity-encoded text into the input area.
In encode mode, view results in both named and numeric entity formats side by side.
Use the copy buttons to copy any output, or preview the rendered result below.

Common Use Cases

Safely displaying HTML code examples in blog posts or documentation
Encoding user-generated content to prevent XSS vulnerabilities
Preparing special characters for use in XML and HTML attributes
Decoding entity-encoded email content or web scrapes
Converting between named and numeric HTML entity formats

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between named and numeric entities?

Named entities use descriptive names like & for &, while numeric entities use the character's Unicode code point, like &. Named entities are more readable, but numeric entities work for any Unicode character — even those without a named equivalent.

Does encoding HTML entities prevent XSS?

Encoding HTML entities is a key defense against XSS when inserting untrusted data into HTML contexts. By converting < and & to entities, browser parsers treat them as text rather than executable markup. However, context matters — always follow established security guidelines for the specific insertion point.

Which characters need to be encoded in HTML?

The essential characters are & (must always be encoded), < and > (to prevent tag injection), and " and ' (inside attribute values). Other characters like non-ASCII Unicode can optionally be encoded for maximum compatibility.