HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
Convert text and markup to named, decimal or hexadecimal references, or recover literal characters from entity-rich source.
Minimal encodes HTML-sensitive characters. Named also uses standard names for non-ASCII characters where available. Enable Non-ASCII for numeric fallback, or All Characters for numeric references throughout.
Input
Type, paste, upload or drop a UTF-8 text file
Output
Plain text generated only after you click Convert
HTML Entity Reference
Common named and numeric character references.
| Character | Name | Named entity | Decimal | Hexadecimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| & | Ampersand | & | & | & |
| < | Less-than sign | < | < | < |
| > | Greater-than sign | > | > | > |
| " | Quotation mark | " | " | " |
| ' | Apostrophe | ' | ' | ' |
| © | Copyright | © | © | © |
| ® | Registered trademark | ® | ® | ® |
| ™ | Trademark | ™ | ™ | ™ |
| € | Euro | € | € | € |
| NBSP | Non-breaking space | |   |   |
| – | En dash | – | – | – |
| — | Em dash | — | — | — |
| “ | Left double quote | “ | “ | “ |
| ” | Right double quote | ” | ” | ” |
| … | Ellipsis | … | … | … |
| × | Multiplication | × | × | × |
| ÷ | Division | ÷ | ÷ | ÷ |
| ± | Plus-minus | ± | ± | ± |
| ≠ | Not equal | ≠ | ≠ | ≠ |
| ∞ | Infinity | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ |
All conversion stays in this browser. Decoded output is displayed only as plain text and is never executed. HTML entity encoding is context-specific and is not a universal XSS sanitizer.
How to use HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
- 1
Choose Encode or Decode from the direction control.
- 2
For encoding, select Minimal, Named, Decimal or Hexadecimal and decide whether to include non-ASCII or every character.
- 3
Type, paste, upload or drop a UTF-8 TXT, HTML or HTM file into Input.
- 4
Click Convert, then copy or download the plain-text Output.
- 5
Search the HTML Entity Reference table to copy common named or numeric forms individually.
Frequently asked questions
About HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder
HTML character references are useful when a literal character would be confused with markup or when a numeric representation is required. The encoder exposes four strategies instead of treating them as interchangeable, and optional Unicode controls make the scope visible before conversion.
Decoding follows recognized named and numeric references back to plain Unicode text. A searchable reference table provides common equivalents for quick lookup and copying. Crucially, recovered markup is never executed: files, conversion and downloads remain an inert, browser-local text workflow.