Data Source and Methodology
This tool uses the comprehensive HTML entity list from Mother Effing HTML Entities. All calculations are based on these standardized entities.
The Formula Explained
Encoding and decoding follow simple string replacement rules using standard HTML entity references. Encoding converts special characters (like <, >, &) into their entity equivalents (like <, >, &). Decoding reverses this process.
Glossary of Variables
- Input Text: The text you wish to encode or decode.
- Encoded Text: The text after converting special characters to HTML entities.
- Decoded Text: The text after converting HTML entities back to normal characters.
Practical Example
How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example
To encode the text "Hello & welcome", it will be converted to "Hello & welcome" using HTML entity encoding. (Note: The ampersand itself is encoded).
To encode "<p>Test</p>", it will be converted to "<p>Test</p>" to display the HTML tags as plain text.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an HTML entity?
An HTML entity is a piece of text (string) that begins with an ampersand (&) and ends with a semicolon (;). They are used to display reserved characters or special symbols.
Why use HTML entities?
HTML entities are used to display reserved characters in HTML like <, >, &, etc. If you don't encode them, the browser will try to interpret them as HTML code, which can break your page layout or create security vulnerabilities (like Cross-Site Scripting, XSS).
How do I encode HTML entities?
Input your text into the provided text area and click "Encode" to convert special characters to HTML entities.
Can this tool decode HTML entities?
Yes, by pasting HTML encoded text into the input area and clicking "Decode", you can convert it back to normal text.
Tool developed by Ugo Candido. Content verified by the technical team.
Last reviewed for accuracy on: .