Free Online HTML Escape Tool
Instantly convert your HTML code into a displayable string by escaping special characters.
Input HTML
Escaped Output
What is HTML Escaping?
HTML escaping, also known as HTML entity encoding, is the process of converting special characters in HTML into their corresponding entity representations. Web browsers interpret certain characters as part of the HTML structure, such as < (less than) and > (greater than), which define tags. If you want to display these characters as plain text on a webpage, you must "escape" them so the browser doesn't try to render them as HTML.
For example, if you want to show the code This is a paragraph.<p>This is a paragraph.</p>. Our tool automates this conversion for you.
Why is it Necessary to Escape HTML?
Escaping HTML is crucial for two main reasons: security and correctly displaying content.
1. Preventing Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
The most critical reason to escape HTML is to prevent security vulnerabilities, specifically Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). If your website displays content submitted by users (like comments or profile information) without escaping it, a malicious user could inject harmful scripts. For instance, they could submit , which would execute in the browser of any user viewing that content, potentially stealing cookies or sensitive information. By escaping the input, the malicious code becomes harmless text: <script>alert('XSS');</script>.
2. Displaying Code Snippets and Special Characters
If you're a developer writing a tutorial or a blogger sharing code, you need a way to show HTML, CSS, or JavaScript code examples without the browser executing them. HTML escaping allows you to present code snippets exactly as they are written, making them readable and safe. It's the standard practice for displaying source code inside and tags.
How to Use This HTML Escape Tool
- Enter Your Code: Paste or type the HTML code you wish to convert into the "Input HTML" text area on the left.
- Instant Conversion: The tool automatically escapes your code in real-time. The converted, safe-to-display string will appear in the "Escaped Output" text area on the right.
- Copy the Result: Click the "Copy to Clipboard" button to easily copy the escaped output.
- Start Over: Click the "Clear All" button to reset both text areas and start fresh.
Common HTML Character Entities
Here is a table of the most common characters that are converted by our HTML escaper tool:
| Character | HTML Entity Name | HTML Entity Number | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| < | < |
< |
Less-than sign (starts a tag) |
| > | > |
> |
Greater-than sign (ends a tag) |
| & | & |
& |
Ampersand (starts an entity) |
| " | " |
" |
Double quote (for attribute values) |
| ' | ' |
' |
Single quote (for attribute values) |
| / | / |
/ |
Forward slash (used in closing tags) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this online HTML escape tool free?
Yes, this tool is 100% free to use. There are no limits on usage, and you can convert as much code as you need without any registration.
Is my data safe?
Absolutely. All the processing happens directly in your browser using JavaScript. Your code is never sent to our servers, ensuring your data remains completely private and secure.
What is the difference between "escape" and "unescape"?
Escaping converts special characters into HTML entities (e.g., < becomes <) so they can be displayed as text. Unescaping is the reverse process; it converts HTML entities back into their original characters (e.g., < becomes <) so the browser can render them as HTML elements.
