HTML Encoder/Decoder
The HTML Encoder/Decoder converts between plain text and HTML entity encoding. HTML entities are used to display special characters that would otherwise be interpreted as HTML markup. For example, the less-than sign (<) must be encoded as < to display it as text rather than starting an HTML tag. This tool handles both encoding (text to entities) and decoding (entities to text), making it essential for web development, content management, and debugging HTML rendering issues.
Formula
HTML encoding: - less-than → and lt ; - greater-than → and gt ; - ampersand → and amp ; - double-quote → and quot ; - single-quote → and #39 ; - Non-ASCII → and #NNN ; or and name ; Standard: HTML5 character references
Example
Input: less-than div class equals hello greater-than Text less-than /div greater-than Encoded: with HTML entities for all special chars Decoded back: original HTML tags as text
How to Use
- Paste your text or HTML into the input field
- Click encode to convert text to HTML entities
- Or click decode to convert entities back to text
- Review the output
- Copy the result for your use
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need HTML encoding?
HTML encoding prevents special characters from being interpreted as HTML markup. This is critical for displaying code snippets, preventing XSS attacks, and showing characters like <, >, and & as text instead of HTML tags.
What is the difference between < and <?
Both represent the less-than sign. < is a named entity, < is a numeric entity (decimal). < is the hex version. All three are equivalent. Named entities are more readable; numeric entities work for any character.
Does HTML encoding prevent XSS?
Yes, encoding user input before displaying it prevents XSS attacks. If a user enters <script>alert(1)</script>, encoding it as <script>alert(1)</script> ensures it displays as text, not executable code.
Should I encode all non-ASCII characters?
Modern web pages use UTF-8, so most non-ASCII characters do not need encoding. However, encoding is still needed for <, >, &, ", and ' in HTML content. For email or legacy systems, encoding all non-ASCII may be necessary.
What is the difference between encoding and escaping?
They are often used interchangeably. Encoding typically refers to converting characters to entities or sequences. Escaping refers to adding a backslash or other escape character. In HTML context, both mean converting special characters to entities.