# HTML Entity Encoder / Decoder
> Free HTML entity encoder and decoder. Convert text to HTML entities and back, with named or numeric output. All client-side.
Encode text into HTML entities (< > &) or decode entities back to text. Choose named entities for common characters or numeric entities for everything.
*Interactive tool: enter your values at https://toollantern.win/html-entity-encoder-decoder/ and results update instantly in your browser.*
## What the tool does
HTML entities let you display reserved characters safely: < becomes <, & becomes &. Encoding also prevents cross-site scripting when you insert user text into a page. Decoding reverses the process, turning © back into ©.
## Named vs numeric
By default common characters use readable named entities (< > & ") and anything else uses numeric codes (©). Check the box to force numeric entities for every character.
## Worked example
Encoding **5 > 3 & 2 < 4** gives 5 > 3 & 2 < 4, which renders in a browser exactly as the original text.
## Frequently asked questions
### What is an HTML entity?
A code like < or © that represents a character in HTML. Entities let you show characters that would otherwise be interpreted as markup, like angle brackets and ampersands.
### When should I encode text?
Whenever you insert untrusted or user-supplied text into HTML. Encoding & and quotes neutralizes injected scripts, which is the basic defense against XSS.
### Named or numeric entities?
Both render identically. Named entities (<) are readable; numeric entities (<) cover every Unicode character including emoji. This tool uses named for common characters and numeric for the rest by default.
### Is my text sent to a server?
No. Encoding and decoding happen locally in your browser.
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Interactive version: https://toollantern.win/html-entity-encoder-decoder/