What is HTML Encoder?
An HTML Encoder converts special characters into HTML entities (e.g., < becomes <, > becomes >, & becomes &). This is essential for security and correct display. When you embed user-generated content, code snippets, or text with < or & in HTML, those characters can be interpreted as tags or entities—encoding prevents that and blocks Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
The HTML Decoder does the reverse—converting entities like < and & back to plain characters. Use it when you receive encoded data and need to display or process the original text.
Common use cases include: displaying user comments safely, showing code examples in documentation, handling international characters (e.g., é as é), and preparing data for HTML attributes. Both encoding and decoding are instant and lossless.
How to Use HTML Encoder
- Enter your text: Paste or type text containing special characters such as <, >, &, ", or '. This could be user input, code, or any text you need to embed in HTML.
- Encode or decode: Click Encode to convert special characters to HTML entities (e.g., < → <). Click Decode to convert entities back to plain characters. The result appears instantly.
- Review the output: The converted text appears in the output panel. Encoded text is safe to embed in HTML; decoded text is the original form for display or processing.
- Copy for use: Copy the encoded or decoded output to clipboard for use in your HTML, JavaScript, or backend code.
No signup required. Works on desktop and mobile.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I encode HTML?
Encode whenever you display user input, third-party content, or code snippets inside HTML. Unencoded < and & can break layout or enable XSS attacks. Encoding ensures characters display as literal text instead of being interpreted.
What are HTML entities?
Entities are special sequences that represent characters. Common ones: < for <, > for >, & for &, " for ", ' for '. Numeric entities like é also exist for Unicode characters.
Is encoding reversible?
Yes. Decoding converts entities back to original characters. For example, <div> decodes to <div>. Multiple encode/decode cycles can sometimes alter numeric entities, but standard named entities are fully reversible.
Does this prevent XSS?
Encoding is a key defense against XSS. When you encode user input before displaying it, scripts and tags become harmless text. Always encode output based on context (HTML, attribute, JavaScript).