HTML-encode a String
Convert a string to HTML entities so it renders as plain text. Runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
0 chars · 0 lines
Output
The result appears here as you type.
How to use HTML-encode a String
- 1. Paste the raw text. Enter the text you want to make safe for HTML into the input pane, including any angle brackets, ampersands or quotation marks that need escaping.
- 2. Decide whether to encode non-ASCII characters. Turn on Also encode non-ASCII characters if the destination system doesn't handle UTF-8 well, converting letters like é into numeric entities such as é too.
- 3. Copy the encoded output. Copy the escaped text from the output pane and paste it directly into HTML source where it needs to render as literal text rather than markup.
When to use HTML-encode a String
HTML-encode a String escapes characters like <, > and & into their entity form so text renders as literal content instead of being interpreted as markup. It's for anywhere user-supplied or code-like text needs to appear safely inside an HTML page.
- Displaying a code snippet inside a web page. You're writing a blog post that shows an HTML tag example like <a href="x">. Encoding it first stops the browser from rendering it as a real link instead of visible text.
- Preparing user input for safe display. A comment section needs to show user-submitted text verbatim without letting stray angle brackets break the page layout. Encoding the text before inserting it into the DOM prevents that.
- Embedding text in an email template. An HTML email template inserts a dynamic subject line that might contain an ampersand or quote mark. Encoding it first keeps the email rendering correctly across clients.
- Escaping for a legacy system without UTF-8 support. An old system only handles ASCII cleanly. Turning on Also encode non-ASCII characters converts accented letters to numeric entities so the output stays readable there.
Examples
Escape angle brackets and quotes
Input
<a href="x">
Output
<a href="x">
About the HTML-encode a String tool
HTML-encode a String runs as plain JavaScript in your browser tab, with no server behind it. Convert a string to HTML entities so it renders as plain text. Whatever you put in stays on your device from start to finish.
The tool is part of EditSafely's String Tools section, 159 single-purpose utilities built around the same idea: open the page, get the result, keep your data to yourself.
You can shape the output with the Also encode non-ASCII characters setting, and the result refreshes the moment you change it. A worked example further down the page shows exactly what the tool produces for a real input.
That local-first design has practical benefits beyond privacy. The tool keeps working on a flaky connection once the page has loaded, results are instant because nothing round-trips to a server, and it is safe to use with confidential material.
Frequently asked questions
Is HTML-encode a String free to use?
Yes, it is completely free. All 2,658 tools on EditSafely work without an account, a subscription or usage limits.
Is it safe to paste sensitive or confidential data?
Everything happens locally. Your browser downloads the tool's code once, then does all the processing itself; nothing you enter is transmitted, stored or logged. You can even go offline after the page loads and it will still work.
How much text can I process at once?
There is no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your own device rather than on a shared server, the practical ceiling is your machine's memory, which comfortably handles inputs far larger than typical online tools allow.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. The tool works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. There is no account to create, no extension to add and no software to install.
How do I use the result?
The output panel has a one-click copy button, and you can keep refining the input while you work; the result updates in place as you type.