HTML Entity Encoder / Decoder
Convert between text and HTML entities instantly.
Common HTML Entities
HTML Entity Reference
| Character | Named Entity | Decimal | Hexadecimal | Description |
|---|
What are HTML Entities?
HTML entities are special codes used in HTML to represent characters that have special meaning in HTML or are difficult to type. For example, the less-than symbol (<) starts an HTML tag, so to display it as text, you use the entity <. Entities can be represented in three ways: named entities (like &), decimal codes (like &), and hexadecimal codes (like &).
When to Use HTML Entities
- Special characters: Characters like <, >, &, and " must be encoded in HTML.
- Reserved symbols: Display mathematical symbols, currency signs, and arrows without special fonts.
- Accessibility: Ensure proper rendering across different browsers and languages.
- Code display: Show code snippets and technical content without browser interpretation.
- International characters: Include accented letters and non-Latin scripts safely.
Common HTML Entities Reference
- < — Less-than (<)
- > — Greater-than (>)
- & — Ampersand (&)
- " — Double quote (")
- ' — Apostrophe (')
- — Non-breaking space
- © — Copyright (©)
- ® — Registered (®)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between named and numeric entities?
Named entities use human-readable names (like ©), while numeric entities use decimal (&) or hexadecimal (&) codes. All three represent the same character; use whatever format your application requires.
Do I need to encode all characters in HTML?
Only characters with special meaning in HTML and non-ASCII characters need to be encoded. Most Latin characters can be used directly. However, encoding all special characters ensures maximum compatibility.
Why do I see in my HTML?
is a non-breaking space that prevents line breaks between words. It's useful in cases where you want to keep words together, like "Mr. Smith".
Can I use Unicode directly in HTML instead of entities?
Yes, if your HTML document is saved in UTF-8 encoding, you can use Unicode characters directly. However, entities provide better compatibility and are required for reserved HTML characters.
Is my data safe?
Yes, all encoding and decoding happens in your browser. Your data never leaves your device and is never stored on our servers.
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