HTML Encoder

Convert special HTML characters into safe entities. Essential for preventing XSS attacks, safely embedding user content, and displaying code samples in HTML pages.

Real-time encoding XSS safe output File upload supported

Plain Text / HTML Input

Upload

Encode all non-alphanumeric characters

Encoded Output

Paste or UploadPaste raw HTML or upload a file to encode

Choose ModeStandard (5 key entities) or all non-alphanumeric

Safe OutputDangerous characters are replaced with &entity; codes

Copy or SaveCopy to clipboard or download the encoded file

XSS PreventionEncode untrusted user input before inserting it into HTML to prevent script injection

Code SnippetsDisplay code samples on web pages without the browser interpreting them as actual HTML

Email TemplatesSafely embed special characters in HTML email templates to ensure correct rendering

About HTML Encoder

The HTML Encoder is a free online tool that converts plain text and special characters into their HTML entity equivalents, making the content safe to display inside HTML documents without breaking the markup structure. Any character that has special meaning in HTML — such as <, >, & and " — must be encoded when used as literal text content.

HTML encoding is essential for web developers handling user input, displaying code samples, preventing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks and ensuring content displays correctly across all browsers.

How to Encode HTML

Paste your text or raw content into the input field
Click Encode
Copy the encoded output — all special characters are safely converted

Characters Encoded

< becomes <
> becomes >
& becomes &
" becomes "
' becomes '

Security Tip

Always HTML-encode user-supplied input before rendering it in a web page. Failing to do so is a leading cause of XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) vulnerabilities. For the reverse operation, use our HTML Decoder. Both tools are free with no login required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HTML encoding do?

HTML encoding converts reserved HTML characters into their entity equivalents. For example, < becomes < and & becomes &. This ensures the browser displays them as text rather than interpreting them as HTML markup.

When should I use "encode all non-alphanumeric"?

Use this mode when you want maximum safety — it converts every character that isn't a letter or number into its numeric entity (&#XX;). This is useful in highly security-sensitive contexts like email headers or certain XML documents.

What characters are encoded by default?

Standard mode encodes the 5 characters that have special meaning in HTML: & (ampersand), < (less-than), > (greater-than), " (double quote), and ' (apostrophe). These cover most XSS and rendering issues.

Does encoding protect against SQL injection?

No — HTML encoding only makes content safe for HTML contexts. For SQL, use parameterized queries or prepared statements. For URLs, use URL encoding (%20 style). Each context requires its own encoding method.