HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder Guide

Quick answer

Use the HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder to turn reserved characters into HTML entities or decode entities back into readable text.

What this tool does

The tool helps prepare snippets, examples, copied HTML, comments, and CMS content where characters such as <, >, &, and quotes need careful handling.

Step-by-step use

1. Paste the text or entity-encoded HTML.
2. Choose encode or decode.
3. Review the output.
4. Copy the result into the intended context.
5. Preview the final page before publishing.

Data handling and processing behavior

Processing is handled in the browser for this tool based on the current public implementation.

Examples

Code example

Encode angle brackets so an HTML snippet displays as text instead of markup.

CMS cleanup

Decode copied entity text before editing the readable content.

Assumptions and limits

• Encoding changes display behavior, not content meaning.
• Entity encoding is not a complete security filter.
• CMS and frameworks may escape content automatically.
• Always preview the target rendering context.

Review example

For a help article that shows <button>Save</button>, encode a small sample and preview it in the final CMS mode. If the editor already escapes HTML, double encoding may show unwanted entity text. If user-submitted content is involved, keep security sanitization separate from this display-preparation step.

For code tutorials, store the intended display result in the review note: literal markup, decoded text, or rendered HTML. That makes copy review clearer when content moves between Markdown, CMS fields, and comments.

Common errors

Double encoding

Encoded text can become hard to read if escaped twice.

Using entity encoding as sanitization

Security-sensitive HTML handling needs context-aware escaping and sanitization.

Next steps

• HTML Entity Encoder & Decoder — encode or decode HTML entities
• HTML Formatter — format HTML before review
• HTML to Text Converter — extract readable text