HTML Encoder & Decoder
Convert special characters to HTML entities and back. Encode < > & and more for safe web display.
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Quick Reference
XSS Prevention
Neutralize malicious scripts
Live Preview
Real-time conversion
100% Private
No data leaves your browser
Why Choose Filator's HTML Encoder?
Real-Time Conversion
Encode and decode HTML entities instantly as you type. No waiting, no button clicks needed for live preview.
100% Client-Side
Your data never leaves your browser. All processing happens locally—no server uploads, no data storage, complete privacy.
Full Unicode Support
Encode any character from any language. Supports named entities, decimal, and hexadecimal numeric references.
What is HTML Encoding and Why Do You Need It?
HTML encoding converts special characters into their corresponding HTML entities so browsers display them correctly instead of interpreting them as code. For example, the less-than symbol (<) becomes < because browsers would otherwise treat it as an opening HTML tag. Filator's free HTML encoder/decoder handles this conversion instantly in your browser—no signup, no server uploads, 100% private.
Why Use an HTML Encoder?
Prevent XSS Attacks
HTML encoding neutralizes malicious scripts by converting <script> tags to harmless text. Essential for sanitizing user input in web applications to prevent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
Display Code Correctly
Show HTML, XML, or code snippets on web pages without browsers rendering them. Perfect for documentation, tutorials, and blog posts about programming.
Cross-Browser Compatibility
Ensure special characters and symbols display consistently across all browsers and devices. Encoded entities render the same everywhere.
Safe Data Transmission
Encode user-submitted content before storing in databases or displaying on pages. Prevents rendering issues and security vulnerabilities from unexpected characters.
How to Encode HTML Special Characters
- 1.Paste your text containing special characters (<, >, &, quotes) into the input area
- 2.Select "Encode" mode to convert characters to HTML entities
- 3.View the encoded output instantly—conversion happens in real-time
- 4.Click "Copy" to copy the encoded text to your clipboard
- 5.Use "Decode" mode to convert HTML entities back to regular characters
HTML Entity Reference Table
| Character | Named Entity | Numeric Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| < | < | < | Less than |
| > | > | > | Greater than |
| & | & | & | Ampersand |
| " | " | " | Double quote |
| ' | ' | ' | Single quote |
| |   | Non-breaking space | |
| © | © | © | Copyright |
| ® | ® | ® | Registered trademark |
Advanced Features
- • Named Entities: Convert to readable entities like < > & for better code readability
- • Numeric Entities: Use decimal (<) or hexadecimal (<) for broader compatibility
- • Full Unicode Support: Encode any character from any language, including emojis and special symbols
- • Batch Processing: Encode or decode large blocks of text instantly
- • Copy to Clipboard: One-click copy for quick workflow integration
- • Works Offline: Install as PWA to use without internet after initial load
- • No File Size Limits: Process text of any length with no restrictions
- • Zero Dependencies: Pure client-side JavaScript—no external libraries needed
Common Use Cases
Web Development
Sanitize user input, display code examples, and prevent XSS vulnerabilities in web applications and CMS platforms.
Technical Documentation
Show HTML/XML code snippets in documentation without browsers rendering them as actual markup.
Email Templates
Encode special characters in email content to ensure consistent display across different email clients.
Data Migration
Decode legacy HTML-encoded content from databases or convert between encoding formats during migrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HTML encoding and why do I need it?
HTML encoding converts special characters like <, >, &, and quotes into their HTML entity equivalents (<, >, &, "). This is essential for displaying these characters correctly in web pages, preventing XSS attacks, and ensuring browsers interpret your content properly instead of treating it as HTML markup.
How do I encode HTML special characters online?
Simply paste your text containing special characters into Filator's HTML Encoder, select the "Encode" mode, and your text is instantly converted to HTML entities. Copy the result with one click. The conversion happens entirely in your browser—no data is sent to any server.
What's the difference between HTML encoding and URL encoding?
HTML encoding converts characters to HTML entities (e.g., < becomes <) for safe display in web pages. URL encoding converts characters to percent-encoded format (e.g., space becomes %20) for safe transmission in URLs. They serve different purposes: HTML encoding for content display, URL encoding for web addresses.
Is Filator's HTML encoder safe to use for sensitive data?
Yes, absolutely. Filator processes everything 100% client-side in your browser. Your text never leaves your device—there's no server upload, no data storage, and no tracking. This makes it safe for encoding sensitive content like code snippets or user data.
What characters need to be HTML encoded?
The five core characters that must be encoded are: < (less than) → <, > (greater than) → >, & (ampersand) → &, " (double quote) → ", and ' (single quote) → ' or '. Additionally, non-ASCII characters like © or special symbols may need encoding for cross-browser compatibility.
Can I decode HTML entities back to regular text?
Yes, Filator supports both encoding and decoding. Switch to "Decode" mode, paste your HTML-encoded text (containing entities like < > &), and it instantly converts back to regular characters. This is useful for reading encoded content or editing HTML source code.
Does the HTML encoder work offline?
Yes, Filator works offline after initial load. Install it as a PWA (Progressive Web App) and use the HTML encoder/decoder without internet connection. This is perfect for developers working in restricted environments or on the go.
How does HTML encoding prevent XSS attacks?
HTML encoding neutralizes malicious scripts by converting special characters to harmless entities. For example, <script>alert('xss')</script> becomes <script>alert('xss')</script>, which browsers display as text rather than executing as code. This is a fundamental defense against cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.
Ready to Encode Your HTML?
Start encoding and decoding HTML entities instantly. No signup required, 100% private processing in your browser, and works offline. Perfect for developers, content creators, and anyone working with web content.