HTML Entity Encoder and Decoder

What this HTML entity tool does

This tool converts Unicode text into HTML character references and decodes HTML references back into Unicode text. Encoding can produce minimal HTML escaping, named references such as ©, decimal references such as ©, hexadecimal references such as ©, or a structured comparison of all representations. Decoding accepts valid named, decimal and hexadecimal references and returns text, not executable markup. Processing is local in your browser.

The controls are designed for text values that will be inserted into HTML, not for validating complete documents. If you need to place a value into JavaScript, CSS or a URL, use the matching encoder for that context. HTML escaping protects syntax boundaries; it does not decide whether markup is trustworthy.

HTML entity examples

Named vs decimal vs hexadecimal entities

Named references are readable for common characters, but not every Unicode character has a named HTML reference. Decimal and hexadecimal references identify a Unicode code point numerically. Hexadecimal often aligns naturally with Unicode U+ notation: U+00E9 becomes é. Numeric HTML references are not UTF-8 bytes.

Which HTML characters should be escaped?

In HTML text, ampersands can begin character references and less-than signs can begin markup. This tool also escapes greater-than signs in minimal mode for clarity. In attributes, the matching quote character must be escaped too: " for double-quoted attributes and ' for single-quoted attributes. Ordinary accented letters, CJK text, Cyrillic text, Arabic text and emoji usually do not need entities in UTF-8 HTML.

HTML entities are not UTF-8

é
U+00E9
HTML: é
UTF-8: C3 A9

The HTML parser resolves é into the Unicode character é. UTF-8 later encodes that character as bytes C3 A9. Writing é is not the correct reference for é; it references two separate code points.

Avoid double encoding

Double encoding happens when already-escaped text is escaped again: & becomes &, then &. Store Unicode text where possible and escape at the output boundary for the actual HTML context. If the decoder returns literal text such as é, one layer has been decoded and another may remain by contract or by mistake.

How to use the tool

1. Choose Encode or Decode.
2. For encoding, choose the output format and HTML context.
3. Leave normalization set to Do not normalize unless you intentionally need NFC, NFD, NFKC or NFKD.
4. Paste input or load the mode-specific example.
5. Review warnings and statistics.
6. Copy or download the UTF-8 text output.

Privacy and processing

This tool runs in your browser. Your input is not submitted to UnicodeNow. The page uses local JavaScript for conversion, statistics and warnings, and the output textarea contains selectable text only.

Common uses

• Escaping text for HTML text nodes and attributes.
• Decoding copied entity text.
• Inspecting named, decimal and hexadecimal references.
• Debugging double encoding.
• Preparing safe text-node or attribute values.
• Comparing Unicode and HTML representations.

Frequently asked questions