HTML Encoder converts special HTML characters into their safe entity equivalents so they display correctly in browsers and cannot be interpreted as HTML markup. This is a critical step when inserting user-generated content into web pages, displaying raw HTML code in documentation, or preventing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Paste any text containing <, >, &, or quotes and get the HTML-safe encoded version instantly.
HTML encoding replaces five special characters with their entity equivalents: < becomes <, > becomes >, & becomes &, " becomes ", and ' becomes '. Browsers render these entities as the original characters while treating them as plain text, not markup. This is the primary defense against reflected XSS when rendering user input in HTML.
XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) occurs when user-supplied content containing <script> or event handlers is rendered as HTML. HTML encoding converts < and > to < and >, making browsers display the text rather than execute it as HTML/JavaScript.
The five HTML-special characters: & (&), < (<), > (>), " ("), and ' ('). Some tools also encode non-ASCII characters as numeric entities.
Yes, for text content contexts. Always use output encoding matched to the context: HTML entity encoding for HTML body/attributes, JavaScript string encoding for JS contexts, and URL encoding for URL contexts.
Yes, the terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to converting special characters into entity references so they are treated as text, not markup.
No. Encoding runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is ever uploaded.
Yes, completely free. No login or account required.
Tool workspace
Free HTML encoder online — instantly escape HTML special characters into safe entities. Converts <, >, &, quotes into < > & " to prevent XSS and rendering bugs. No login.
Output
Input
<script>alert("xss")</script>Output
<script>alert("xss")</script>