HTML Entity Decoder

Decode & / ' / < / > back to characters.

Decoder Text Codecs Updated Apr 20, 2026
How to Use
  1. Type or paste your input on the left.
  2. The result appears live on the right - no buttons needed.
  3. Copy the output with one click.

About this codec

Decode & / ' / < / > back to characters.

About HTML entities

HTML entities is characters expressed as named or numeric HTML references (&amp;, &#169;). This tool lets you decode HTML entities instantly and entirely in your browser. It is commonly used for safely displaying reserved characters such as < > & in web pages.

💡Worked example: <a>&lt;a&gt;

Note that an encoding is a reversible representation, not encryption: there is no secret key, and anyone can decode it. Its job is safe, lossless transport of data — not privacy.

How to use it

Type or paste the HTML entities you want to read into the box and it turns into normal text live as you type — everything runs locally in your browser. Learn more in the Knowledge Base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this leave my browser?

No - the conversion runs entirely in JavaScript on this page.

What does HTML entities look like?

becomes &lt;a&gt;. HTML entities is typically used for safely displaying reserved characters such as &lt; &gt; &amp; in web pages.

Does my text leave my browser?

No. The HTML entities conversion runs entirely in JavaScript on this page — nothing is uploaded, and it works offline.

Is HTML entities reversible?

Yes. HTML entities is a lossless representation, so you can convert back and forth without losing any data.

Common Use Cases

Safely displaying reserved characters such as &lt; &gt; &amp; in web pages

HTML entities is commonly used for safely displaying reserved characters such as &lt; &gt; &amp; in web pages — decode it here in one step.

Learning & puzzles

See how text maps to HTML entities — handy for coursework, CTF challenges, and puzzle hunts.

Private by design

Everything runs locally in your browser, so you can paste sensitive text without it leaving your device.

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