HTML Encoder
Encode or decode HTML entities
About HTML Encoder
HTML entities are special codes used to display reserved HTML characters safely in web pages. For example, < becomes < and & becomes &. This free HTML Encoder/Decoder instantly converts any text to HTML-safe entities or decodes HTML entities back to readable characters — essential for web developers building forms, templates, CMS integrations and preventing XSS security vulnerabilities.
How to Use HTML Encoder
- 1Select "Encode" to convert special characters to HTML entities, or "Decode" to reverse.
- 2Paste your HTML or plain text into the input field.
- 3The encoded/decoded output appears instantly.
- 4Copy the result and paste it into your HTML source, template or CMS.
Common Use Cases
Always HTML-encode user-generated content before inserting it into HTML to prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are HTML entities and why do I need them?
HTML entities are codes that represent characters that have special meaning in HTML. For example, < starts an HTML tag, so to display a literal < sign you must write <. Without encoding, browsers interpret these characters as HTML syntax rather than displaying them as text.
What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and how does HTML encoding prevent it?
XSS is a security attack where malicious JavaScript is injected into a website through user input (like a comment form). If you insert user input directly into HTML without encoding, attackers can inject <script> tags. HTML-encoding the input converts < to <, making the script visible text rather than executable code.
What is the difference between HTML encoding and URL encoding?
HTML encoding converts characters for safe insertion into HTML markup (< → <, & → &). URL encoding converts characters for safe inclusion in URLs (space → %20, & → %26). Use HTML encoding in HTML templates and URL encoding in query strings and links.
Which characters must always be HTML-encoded?
The five characters that must always be encoded in HTML are: < (→ <), > (→ >), & (→ &), " (→ "), and ' (→ ' or '). The last two are critical when inserting values inside HTML attribute values.