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HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder

Encode and decode HTML entities

Reviewed: AnyCalc Editorial|2026-07-19|Editorial policy|About

What this calculator does

HTML entities are special codes that represent characters which have reserved meanings in HTML or are not easily typed on a keyboard. This tool encodes characters like <, >, &, and " into their HTML entity equivalents (&lt;, &gt;, &amp;, &quot;) and decodes entities back to characters. It handles named entities, decimal numeric references (&#60;), and hexadecimal references (&#x3C;). Developers need HTML entity encoding to prevent XSS vulnerabilities when displaying user input, to correctly render special characters in HTML documents, and to include symbols like copyright (©), em dashes (—), and non-breaking spaces (&nbsp;) in web content.

How to use

  1. 01
    Paste your text
    Enter text containing special characters or HTML entities.
  2. 02
    Choose encode or decode
    Select whether to convert to HTML entities or back to characters.
  3. 03
    Copy the result
    Copy the encoded or decoded text to use in your HTML.

HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder FAQ

Why do I need to encode HTML entities?▾
Characters like <, >, and & have special meaning in HTML. If user-submitted text contains these characters and you render it without encoding, the browser interprets them as HTML tags or entities, potentially breaking your layout or enabling XSS attacks. Always encode untrusted content before inserting it into HTML.
What is the difference between named and numeric HTML entities?▾
Named entities use memorable labels like &amp; for & and &copy; for ©. Numeric entities use Unicode code points like &#38; (decimal) or &#x26; (hex) for &. Numeric entities work for any Unicode character; named entities exist only for common symbols.
When should I use &nbsp; in HTML?▾
Use &nbsp; (non-breaking space) to prevent a line break between two words that should stay together, like "100 km" or "Dr. Smith". Avoid using it for layout spacing — use CSS margin and padding instead.

Interpret carefully

Outputs are decision-support estimates, not a substitute for professional judgment.

  • Treating HTML Entity Encoder/Decoder output as a final professional diagnosis, quote, or legal determination
  • Entering approximate values when the result is sensitive to units or precision
  • Applying the FAQ answer (“Why do I need to encode HTML entities?”) to a special case without checking assumptions

Next steps

  1. Double-check inputs against your source documents (labs, statements, specs, or notes).
  2. Confirm the method below matches your use case before you act on the number.
  3. For medical, financial, or production decisions, verify with a qualified professional.

Disclaimer: Results are informational only and do not constitute medical, financial, legal, or professional advice. Report issues: sublimernj@gmail.com

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