HTML Decode Text
Convert HTML entities back to readable characters. Decodes < to <, & to &, and other entity codes.
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What is HTML Decoding?
HTML Decoding (or HTML Unescaping) is the reverse process of HTML encoding. It converts entity codes—text representations of special characters—back into their original symbols. For example, < becomes <, and & becomes &.
This is essential when working with data from APIs, databases, or scraped web content that has been "escaped" for safe storage or transmission.
Features
Instant Decoding
Paste any HTML-encoded text and see the clean, readable result immediately.
Bulk Decoder
Process large files or lists line-by-line using Batch Mode for scraped data.
All Entities
Decodes named, numeric, and hex entities using native browser APIs.
UTF-8 Support
Correctly handles international characters, emojis, and special symbols.
File Upload
Upload `.txt`, `.html`, or `.log` files and download the decoded output.
Client-Side Only
Processing happens in your browser. We never see or store your data.
How to use
- Input: Paste HTML-encoded text containing entity codes (e.g.,
<, ). - Check: The tool is already in HTML Decode mode.
- Result: Copy the clean, human-readable text or download it as a file.
Example - Decode Scraped Data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HTML decoding?
HTML decoding is the reverse process of HTML encoding. It converts HTML entity codes (like <, &, ") back into their original characters (<, &, "). This makes encoded text readable again.
When do I need to decode HTML?
You need HTML decoding when: (1) Scraping data from websites that return escaped text. (2) Reading API responses that encode special characters. (3) Viewing stored data from databases that auto-escape input. (4) Converting legacy content that was double-encoded by mistake.
What entities does this decode?
This tool decodes ALL standard HTML entities, including: Named entities (<, >, &, , ©), Numeric entities (', —), and Hex entities (', —). It uses the browser's native DOMParser for robust, complete decoding.
Can I decode scraped web data?
Absolutely! Enable 'Batch Mode' to decode large amounts of scraped HTML line-by-line. You can also upload a .txt or .html file containing the raw data, and download the clean, human-readable version.
What if the text looks weird after decoding?
If the result still contains entity codes (like &lt;), it means the text was double-encoded. Simply paste the result back into the input and decode it again. Repeat until all entities are resolved.
Does this decode non-English characters?
Yes! This tool correctly handles UTF-8 and all international characters. Entities representing accented letters, Asian scripts, emojis, and symbols (like é or 😀) are accurately decoded.
Is my data secure during decoding?
Yes. All decoding happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript's native DOMParser API. We do not transmit, store, or log your text. This makes it safe to decode API keys, tokens, or any sensitive content.
Can I decode a large log file?
Yes. Use the 'Upload' button to load a large .log, .txt, or .html file. The tool will decode the entire file efficiently, and you can download the clean result.
What is the difference between HTML and URL decoding?
HTML decoding converts entities (like <) used in web page content. URL decoding converts percent codes (like %20) used in web addresses. They handle different encoding systems for different parts of the web.
Why is showing as a weird character?
is a non-breaking space (Unicode U+00A0), which looks identical to a regular space but prevents line breaks. If it appears as a strange symbol, your text viewer might not be rendering it correctly. It's decoded properly—the issue is with the display font.