HTML Entity Decoder

Supported entities

Named entities for &, <, >, quotes, and apostrophes are decoded. Numeric entities (&#...;) are left unchanged.

Developer Quick Tips

• Paste entity-encoded text and press Ctrl/Cmd + Enter to unescape named entities instantly. Output is plain text, never rendered as HTML.
• Decodes named entities only: &lt;, &gt;, &amp;, &quot;, &#39;, &apos;. Numeric entities (&#...; or &#x...;) stay unchanged.
• Reconcile database exports or CMS fields where HTML entities mask literal characters. Inspect decoded content before pasting elsewhere.
• Your input stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to servers or stored after you close the tab.
• Use this to unescape strings from logs, API responses, or config files where entities are escaped for safety.

Frequently asked questions

What does unescape mean and how do I unescape HTML entities online?

Unescape means converting encoded characters back to their literal form. This tool unescapes named HTML entities (&lt;, &gt;, &amp;, &quot;, &#39;, &apos;) to plain text in your browser. Paste your entity-encoded text and press Ctrl/Cmd + Enter to decode instantly.

How do I unescape a string online without uploading my data?

Paste your entity-encoded text into the input field. The tool runs entirely in your browser; your input is never uploaded to DevToolMate servers. Processing happens locally on your device for the current session only.

Can I unescape JSON strings with HTML entities using this tool?

This tool unescapes named HTML entities only. If your JSON contains HTML-encoded entities mixed in, paste the string here to decode the HTML entities first, then use a JSON-specific decoder for the rest.

What is the difference between named and numeric HTML entities?

Named entities use words: &lt; means <, &amp; means &. Numeric entities use numbers: &#60; (decimal) or &#x3C; (hex) also mean <. This tool handles named entities for common characters like quotes, ampersands, and angle brackets only.

Does this tool unescape numeric entities like &#65; or &#x41;?

No. This tool unescapes named entities only (&lt;, &gt;, &amp;, &quot;, &#39;, &apos;). Numeric entities (&#...; or &#x...;) are left unchanged. Use a full HTML parser if you need numeric entity support.

Is the decoded output safe to paste into code or HTML?

The output is plain text, not rendered HTML. You can inspect it safely. However, if you are pasting into innerHTML or a template engine, always validate the source first. This tool does not sanitize or strip script tags.

Is HTML Entity Decoder free and do I need an account?

Yes. HTML Entity Decoder is free to use with no account required. Processing stays on your device for the current session.

Related tools

• HTML Entity Encoder: Escape string online free. Convert &, <, >, and quotes to HTML entities in your browser. No upload, no account, no server processing.