What does this tool do?
A decoder that turns HTML entities back into readable plain text. It converts named entities like <, & and ", plus numeric codes like ', into their original characters — handy for developers, content editors and anyone cleaning up escaped data.
How to use it
- Enter the text you want to encode or decode.
- The conversion happens automatically.
- Copy the result and use it safely.
Which entities it decodes
The tool recognizes core entities such as &, <, >, " and ', along with common symbols like , ©, ®, ™, €, —, … and curly quotes. It also converts decimal numeric codes in the { form and hexadecimal codes in the { form to the correct character. Paste your entities on the left and the decoded text appears instantly on the right.
Practical use
Make escaped HTML like '<h1>Hello</h1>' from an API response, database field or RSS feed readable again. Use the '⇄ Swap' button to move the decoded output back into the input so you can flip between encoding and decoding. Copy the result with one click, and use the reference table below to quickly check what common entities map to.
Frequently asked questions
Does it decode numeric entities too?
Yes. It converts both decimal numeric entities in the { form and hexadecimal ones in the { form into their matching characters.
Can I encode instead of decode?
The '⇄ Swap' button moves output into the input; to escape text into entities, use the HTML Encode tool. This tool focuses on the reverse direction — decoding entities into text.
What happens with an unrecognized entity?
A named entity that isn't in the list is left untouched, so nothing is lost — only that fragment stays undecoded while the rest is converted.
Is HTML Decode free?
Yes. HTML Decode and all 300+ tools on MagmaNex are completely free with no signup or account required.
Is my data safe?
Yes. Everything runs locally in your browser. The data you enter is never sent to a server, stored, or shared.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. HTML Decode works on phones, tablets and desktops — no app download needed.
🔒 Privacy: everything runs in your browser, your data is never sent to a server.