HTML entity decoder
This HTML entity decoder converts entity codes back into the characters they stand for. It helps when you copy text out of HTML source, a feed or an API response and see codes like " and ' where quotes should be.
- Runs in your browser
- Free, no account needed
- Copy or download the result
Result
Example
Tea & coffee ☕ © 2026
Tea & coffee ☕ © 2026
How to use the html entity decoder
- Paste text into the Text with semicolon-terminated entities box.
- Press Run. This tool has no options to set.
- If an error names an unsupported entity, replace it with its numeric code and run again.
- Copy result or Download the plain text.
How it works
Decimal references like © and hex references like © work for any valid Unicode character.
36 common named entities are built in, including amp, lt, gt, quot, apos, nbsp, copy, reg, trade, euro, pound, mdash, hellip and Greek letters such as alpha and pi.
Entities must end with a semicolon. Text like & with no semicolon is left unchanged.
An unsupported name, or a number that is not a valid Unicode character, stops the tool with an error. Names are case-sensitive, so & is not accepted.
Decoding runs once, so &lt; becomes < rather than <. The result is plain text and is never run as HTML.
Everything runs in your browser. Your input is not uploaded or stored.
Questions and answers
Why does it say unsupported named entity?
Only a list of 36 common names is built in. Use the numeric reference instead, such as ☃ for a snowman.
Why is &lt; only decoded once?
The tool removes one layer of escaping per run. If your text was escaped twice, run the result through the tool again.
Do entities need a semicolon?
Yes, for this tool. Entities without a closing semicolon are left as they are.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Decoding happens in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.