What the HTML Encode / Decode tool does
This tool swaps risky markup characters for safe HTML entities, and reverses the process when you need plain text back. In Encode mode it escapes the five characters that confuse browsers: &, <, >, " and '. In Decode mode it reads entities such as &, < or numeric codes like ' and restores the original symbols. It is handy for developers dropping code snippets into a blog, writers pasting sample tags into a CMS, and anyone cleaning up text copied from an HTML source.
How to use it
- Pick a mode from the Mode dropdown: Encode to turn characters into entities, or Decode to turn entities back into characters.
- Paste or type your text into the input box at the top.
- Press the Encode / Decode button to run it.
- Read the result in the output box and copy it with one click.
Switch the mode and run it again any time. There is no limit on how often you process text.
Why use this one
It is quick: the conversion happens the moment you click, with no page reloads or queues. It is private, since every keystroke is handled by your browser and nothing touches a server, so even unreleased code stays on your machine. And it is free with no account and no caps. Because it leans on the browser’s own parser for decoding, it understands the same named and numeric entities a real web page would.
A quick tip
Encode any user-supplied text before you display it on a page so a stray < or > cannot break your layout or sneak in a tag. When you only need to read what an entity stands for, Decode mode gives you the plain character in a second.
Working through a large pile of files at once? The BulkPro desktop app from the same team handles batch jobs, while this page is built for a quick paste and convert.
Frequently asked questions
- Which characters does the HTML encoder escape?
- Encode mode converts the five characters that break HTML markup: & becomes &, < becomes <, > becomes >, the double quote becomes ", and the single quote becomes '. Everything else stays as typed.
- Can it decode numbered and named HTML entities?
- Yes. Decode mode reads both named entities (like &, <, ©) and numeric ones (like ' or ') and turns them back into the real characters.
- Why should I encode HTML before putting text on a page?
- Escaping &, <, and > stops your text from being read as tags or scripts. It keeps code samples readable and helps prevent broken layouts and injection issues when user text is shown on a page.
- Is my text sent anywhere when I use this tool?
- No. The encoding and decoding happen entirely in your browser using built-in JavaScript. Your text is never uploaded, so you can safely paste private or unreleased code.
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Last updated: June 15, 2026