HTML Encoder
Encode HTML entities and special characters for safe display
Quick Examples
What is HTML Encoding?
HTML encoding (also called HTML escaping) is the process of converting special characters into HTML entities. This prevents browsers from interpreting these characters as HTML code, allowing them to be safely displayed as text on web pages.
When you want to display HTML code, special characters like <, >, &, and quotes must be encoded. Otherwise, the browser will try to parse them as HTML tags or attributes, potentially breaking your page or creating security vulnerabilities.
For example, <div> becomes <div> when encoded, allowing it to be displayed as text rather than being interpreted as an actual HTML tag.
When Should You Use HTML Encoding?
Displaying Code Examples
When showing HTML, XML, or code snippets on your website or in documentation
Preventing XSS Attacks
Encoding user-generated content to prevent cross-site scripting vulnerabilities
User Comments and Reviews
Safely displaying user-submitted text that might contain HTML or special characters
XML/RSS Feeds
Encoding content for XML documents and RSS/Atom feeds
Email Templates
Encoding special characters in HTML email templates to prevent rendering issues
Encoding Modes Explained
HTML Entities
Encodes the 5 essential HTML special characters: <, >, &, ", and '. This is the most common and recommended encoding for general HTML use.
Best for: Displaying code snippets, user-generated content, preventing XSS attacks
XML Entities
Encodes characters for XML compatibility. Uses ' instead of ' for single quotes. XML only recognizes 5 predefined entities.
Best for: XML documents, SOAP requests, RSS/Atom feeds, XHTML
All Entities
Encodes all special characters including currency symbols (©, ®, ™, €, £), mathematical symbols (×, ÷, ±), arrows, and more. Comprehensive encoding for maximum compatibility.
Best for: Legacy systems, maximum compatibility, special character preservation
Common HTML Entities Reference
| Character | Entity | Description |
|---|---|---|
< | < | Less than |
> | > | Greater than |
& | & | Ampersand |
" | " | Double quote |
' | ' | Single quote (apostrophe) |
© | © | Copyright symbol |
® | ® | Registered trademark |
€ | € | Euro symbol |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between HTML encoding and URL encoding?
HTML encoding converts characters to HTML entities (like <) for display in HTML documents. URL encoding converts characters to percent-encoded format (like %3C) for use in URLs. They serve different purposes and use different encoding schemes.
Do I need to encode all HTML characters?
No, you only need to encode the 5 essential characters: <, >, &, ", and '. Other characters can be encoded for compatibility or to preserve special symbols, but it's not required for most use cases.
Does HTML encoding protect against XSS attacks?
Yes, properly encoding user input before displaying it in HTML is a critical defense against Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks. By encoding special characters, you prevent malicious scripts from being executed. However, encoding should be used as part of a comprehensive security strategy, not as the only protection.
Can I use numeric character references instead?
Yes! You can use numeric references like < (decimal) or < (hexadecimal) instead of named entities. Named entities like < are generally more readable, but both work equally well.
Should I encode HTML in JavaScript strings?
It depends on the context. If you're inserting HTML strings into the DOM using innerHTML, you should encode user input. If you're using textContent or DOM methods like createElement, the browser handles encoding automatically.
Is my data safe using this tool?
Absolutely! All encoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to our servers or any third party. Your HTML code and encoded output remain completely private on your device.
Security Best Practice
Always encode user-generated content before displaying it in HTML. This is one of the most important security practices to prevent XSS attacks. Never trust user input - always encode it!