What are HTML entities?

HTML entities are special codes that represent characters with special meaning in HTML. For example, & for &, < for , " for ", and ' for '.

Why use HTML entities?

HTML entities prevent browsers from interpreting special characters as HTML code. This prevents XSS attacks and ensures text displays correctly.

When should I encode HTML?

Encode HTML when displaying user-generated content, preventing XSS attacks, or ensuring special characters display correctly in HTML documents.

What characters need encoding?

The main characters that need encoding are: & (ampersand), (greater than), " (double quote), and ' (single quote).

Is HTML encoding the same as escaping?

Yes, HTML encoding is also called HTML escaping. It converts special characters to their entity equivalents for safe display.

Can I decode HTML entities?

Yes, the calculator can decode HTML entities back to their original characters. This is useful when processing HTML-encoded text.

HTML Entity Encoder

Escape special HTML characters safely. Essential for preventing XSS attacks and displaying text correctly.

HTML Entity Encoder

Text

HTML Encoded

Conversion Guide

Conversion

E

Encode

& → &, < → <, > → >

Convert special characters to HTML entities

D

Decode

& → &, < → <, > → >

Convert HTML entities back to original characters

Step-by-Step Scenario

Example Scenario

Input

1

Encode Special Characters

< → <
> → >
" → "

Convert special characters to HTML entities

2

Result

<script>alert("XSS")</script>

Safe for HTML display

Additional Examples

Ampersand

Text: A & B

Encoded

A & B

Quotes

Text: Say "Hello"

Encoded

Say "Hello"

Characteristics of HTML Encoding

XSS Prevention

HTML encoding prevents XSS attacks by converting dangerous characters to safe entities. Essential for security.

Safe Display

Ensures special characters display correctly in HTML without being interpreted as code. Perfect for user-generated content.

Bidirectional

Encode text to HTML entities or decode entities back to text. Both operations are instant and accurate.

Standard Entities

Uses standard HTML entities: &, <, >, ", and '. Widely supported across all browsers.

Important Notes

HTML entities prevent browsers from interpreting special characters as HTML code. This is essential for security and correct display.
Main entities: & (&), < (<), > (>), " ("), ' ('). These are the most commonly encoded characters.
Always encode user-generated content before displaying it in HTML. This prevents XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks.
HTML encoding is different from URL encoding. HTML entities are for HTML documents, URL encoding is for URLs.
The calculator handles both encoding and decoding. Use encoding to make text safe, decoding to restore original text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about HTML entity encoding.