About this tool
HTML entities are special codes like &, < and > that let you display reserved characters safely on a web page instead of them being read as code. This tool encodes text into entities and decodes them back, which is essential for preventing broken layouts and cross-site scripting (XSS) when showing user text.
How to use
- 1Choose Encode or Decode.
- 2Paste your text or HTML.
- 3Copy the result.
Benefits
- Encode and decode both ways.
- Helps prevent XSS.
- Instant and private.
Escape text for HTML without double-encoding it
Practical example
The text “5 < 8 & 9 > 4” needs entity encoding when inserted as literal HTML text. Encoding an already encoded ampersand can turn & into &amp; and display the wrong result.
Interpreting the result
Encode at the output boundary and keep raw data internally. Choose the correct defense for HTML text, attributes, URLs or JavaScript because each context has different escaping rules.
Limits and common mistakes
Entity encoding alone is not a complete XSS defense for unsafe attributes, scripts, styles or URLs. Use trusted framework escaping, sanitization and a restrictive content policy.
Detailed guides for this tool
Learn the underlying concepts, worked examples and common mistakes before relying on the result.
Frequently asked questions
Why encode HTML?+
So special characters display as text instead of being interpreted as markup or scripts.
Does it handle Arabic?+
Yes, only reserved HTML characters are converted; other text stays intact.