HTML Entity Converter

Q: How do I decode HTML entity strings?

Switch the tool mode to 'Decode Entities', paste the string containing elements like &lt;p&gt;, and the tool will instantly decode them to standard text.

Q: Can I use this tool to prevent XSS?

Yes. Encoding user inputs into HTML entities before displaying them in the browser is a standard way to prevent malicious scripts from executing.

Q: Are non-breaking spaces supported?

Yes. The decoder parses to standard space characters, along with symbols like ©, ®, and ™.

Q: Does it support emoji conversions?

Yes. Emojis and other high-plane Unicode characters can be encoded into decimal or hexadecimal entities (like 😀 for a smiley face) to ensure safe representation in legacy encodings.

Q: Why are some entities converted to decimal instead of named?

Some Unicode characters do not have a standard named entity shorthand in HTML5 specifications. For these, the tool falls back to decimal or hexadecimal notation automatically.

Q: What is the difference between Hexadecimal and Decimal entities?

Decimal entities use base-10 code points (like &), while Hexadecimal entities use base-16 code points prefixed with an 'x' (like &). Both represent the same character and are parsed identically by modern browsers.

Q: Is single quote (apostrophe) encoding safe in XML?

Yes. In XML and XHTML, single quotes are encoded as ', whereas in old HTML4 documents ' was preferred. This tool encodes single quotes safely to ensure compatibility across HTML, XHTML, and XML parser engines.

Encode raw text into named, decimal, or hexadecimal HTML entities, or decode them back to raw strings.

Entity Format:

Scope:

Input Text

Output Text

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Learn About This Tool

Understanding HTML Entities in Web Development

HTML entities are code blocks used to display reserved characters (like < or >) or invisible symbols (like non-breaking spaces  ) in web browsers without breaking HTML parser tags:

<!-- Raw Text Input -->
<h1>Hello & Welcome</h1>

<!-- HTML Encoded Output -->
&lt;h1&gt;Hello &amp; Welcome&lt;/h1&gt;

Named entities use text codes e.g. &quot; for double quotes
Decimal entities use numeric ASCII codes e.g. &#60; for less-than
Hexadecimal entities use base-16 codes e.g. &#x3c; for layout brackets
Correct formatting prevents XSS injections when echoing user parameters

Encode Scope: Special vs All Characters

Depending on your configuration requirements, you can customize the encoding depth.Special Characters only encodes the five key XML/HTML delimiters: less-than, greater-than, ampersand, double quotes, and single quotes. For other parameter formatting, try our URL Encoder / Decoder.

Special mode is recommended for basic script safety inside HTML body tags
All mode is useful for embedding raw strings inside script parameters
Preserves spacing layout structures for clean text rendering
Allows easy translation between Unicode and ASCII characters

Safe Client-Side Parsing without Latency

This converter performs all text conversions locally in your browser. If you want binary-safe base64 alignments instead, use our Base64 Encoder / Decoder.

No data is sent to external servers, protecting your copy layouts
Supports reverse decoding instantly for entity inspections
Responsive layout controls make it easy to copy results on mobile
Calculates strings instantly without network request delay lags

How to Use HTML Entity Converter

Select Conversion Mode

Choose Encode Mode to convert text to entities, or Decode Mode to translate entities back to raw text.

Configure Entity Parameters

Select Named, Decimal, or Hexadecimal formatting, and set your encoding scope.

Copy Output Text

Input your text in the left panel and click Copy to capture the converted result from the right panel.

Common questions

What is an HTML entity?

An HTML entity is a string starting with an ampersand (&) and ending with a semicolon (;). It is used to render reserved HTML characters or non-printable symbols.

Why should I encode special characters in HTML?

Reserved characters like < or > can confuse the browser's HTML parser, leading to broken layouts or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Encoding renders them safely as text.

What is the difference between Named and Decimal entities?

Named entities use human-readable names (e.g. <), while decimal entities use the character's ASCII/Unicode code point (e.g. <). Decimal entities are supported universally by all XML/HTML parsers.

How do I decode HTML entity strings?

Switch the tool mode to 'Decode Entities', paste the string containing elements like &lt;p&gt;, and the tool will instantly decode them to standard text.

Can I use this tool to prevent XSS?

Yes. Encoding user inputs into HTML entities before displaying them in the browser is a standard way to prevent malicious scripts from executing.

Are non-breaking spaces supported?

Does it support emoji conversions?

Yes. Emojis and other high-plane Unicode characters can be encoded into decimal or hexadecimal entities (like 😀 for a smiley face) to ensure safe representation in legacy encodings.

Why are some entities converted to decimal instead of named?

Some Unicode characters do not have a standard named entity shorthand in HTML5 specifications. For these, the tool falls back to decimal or hexadecimal notation automatically.

What is the difference between Hexadecimal and Decimal entities?

Decimal entities use base-10 code points (like &), while Hexadecimal entities use base-16 code points prefixed with an 'x' (like &). Both represent the same character and are parsed identically by modern browsers.

Is single quote (apostrophe) encoding safe in XML?

Yes. In XML and XHTML, single quotes are encoded as ', whereas in old HTML4 documents ' was preferred. This tool encodes single quotes safely to ensure compatibility across HTML, XHTML, and XML parser engines.