Character Entity Encoder.
HTML XML Entity Converter. Encode and decode HTML/XML character entities. Support for named (©), decimal (©), and hexadecimal (©) formats.
- Web Development
- Runs in your browser
Character Entity Encoder
Special characters will be converted to HTML/XML entities (e.g., < → <)
Example Texts
Entity Types
Named Entities
Human-readable names for common characters
Decimal Entities
Numeric code points in base 10
Hexadecimal Entities
Numeric code points in base 16
Common Entities
Quick Tips
For HTML
Use named entities for better readability
For XML
Only < > & " ' are predefined
For JavaScript
Use "\u003C" or "\x3C" in strings
For Security
Always encode user input to prevent XSS
Use cases
Real-world uses.
- XSS Prevention
- Encode user input before displaying in HTML to prevent cross-site scripting attacks. Essential security practice for web applications.
- HTML/XML Development
- Safely include special characters in HTML/XML content. Display code examples, mathematical formulas, and special symbols correctly.
- Data Storage
- Store text with special characters safely in XML databases or HTML-based formats. Prevent parsing errors and data corruption.
- Internationalization
- Handle international characters in HTML. Ensure proper display of accented characters, symbols, and special punctuation.
- Content Migration
- Convert between entity-encoded and plain text when migrating content between systems or CMSs.
- Email Security
- Encode HTML email content to prevent email clients from executing malicious code. Protect recipients from attacks.
- SEO & Metadata
- Properly encode special characters in meta tags, titles, and descriptions for correct display in search results.
- Documentation
- Display code examples in documentation without breaking HTML. Show < > & characters in technical writing.
How it works
Four steps.
- 01
Paste text or HTML/XML code that needs entity encoding or decoding.
- 02
Choose mode (Encode/Decode) and entity type (Named, Decimal, or Hexadecimal).
- 03
Configure encoding options: special chars, quotes, accents, or all non-ASCII.
- 04
Copy the processed text or download it for use in your web project.
Features
Key Features of Character Entity Encoder.
Bidirectional Conversion
Encode characters to entities or decode entities back to characters instantly.
3 Entity Types
Support for Named (©), Decimal (©), and Hexadecimal (©) entities.
Real-Time Processing
Instant encoding/decoding with live preview and conversion statistics.
XSS Prevention
Encode user input to prevent XSS attacks and injection vulnerabilities.
Granular Control
Choose exactly what to encode: special chars, quotes, accents, or all non-ASCII.
Batch Processing
Process entire HTML/XML files at once with upload and download support.
International Support
Handle accented characters, symbols, and special characters from any language.
Format Compatible
Works with HTML, XML, XHTML, and any format that uses character entities.
What are HTML character entities?
HTML character entities are special codes that represent characters in HTML/XML. For example, < represents <, © represents ©. They're used to display special characters that might otherwise be interpreted as code.
When should I encode characters?
Encode characters when: 1) Displaying user input in HTML to prevent XSS attacks, 2) Including special characters like & in HTML content, 3) Ensuring compatibility with older systems, 4) Storing text in XML/HTML format.
What's the difference between named, decimal, and hex entities?
Named entities use words (©), decimal uses numbers (©), and hexadecimal uses hex numbers (©). Named entities are readable but limited. Decimal/hex can represent any Unicode character but are less readable.
Should I encode all special characters?
No! Only encode what's necessary. Always encode & in HTML content. Encode quotes in attribute values. Modern HTML5 supports most Unicode characters directly, so encoding everything is usually unnecessary.
Can this prevent XSS attacks?
Yes! Encoding user input is a key XSS prevention technique. Converting < to < prevents browsers from interpreting malicious scripts. However, use this as part of a comprehensive security strategy, not the only defense.
Which entity type should I use?
Use named entities for common characters (better readability). Use decimal for uncommon characters (universal support). Use hexadecimal when working with Unicode code points (matches Unicode notation).
Does this work with emoji?
Yes! Emoji can be encoded to decimal or hexadecimal entities. For example, 😀 becomes 😀 or 😀. However, modern browsers support emoji directly, so encoding is usually unnecessary.
Can I decode entities in JavaScript strings?
This tool decodes HTML/XML entities. For JavaScript escape sequences (\u003C), use a JavaScript-specific tool. HTML entities and JS escapes are different formats.
Is this safe for processing user input?
Yes! All processing happens in your browser. However, remember that encoding is just one step in security. Always validate and sanitize user input on the server side too.
Can I process large HTML files?
Yes! Upload HTML/XML files of any size. The tool processes everything instantly in your browser without sending data to servers.
Related tools
More Web Development tools.
BBCode HTML Converter
Convert BBCode to HTML format
Beautify
Format and beautify code properly
Beautify Slug
Create beautiful URL slugs easily
Bootstrap To Tailwind
Convert Bootstrap classes to Tailwind
Cron Tester
Test and validate cron expressions
CSS Animation Generator
Create CSS animations and keyframes
CSS Button Generator
Design custom CSS button styles
CSS Loader Generator
Create CSS loading spinner animations
Built by Infyways
Need more than a tool.
These utilities are made by the Infyways studio. When a free tool is not enough, we build the real thing.