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HTML Unescape Online - Live Decode to Plain Text

The panel estimates how many entity tokens it saw, compares input vs output length, and keeps a live decoded column. Copy decoded text ships only that result.

HTML unescape input and live decoded output

Email clients and exporters love double-encoded snippets. This pass walks common entity forms so you can read or edit the real characters underneath.

1 Paste encoded text · 2 Edit · 3 Live decoded output · 4 Copy decoded text

Live decoded output

Try <em>Hi</em> or Tom & Jerry 's. The headline figure counts semicolon-terminated entity-like pieces so you can tell dense markup from plain prose.

Decode runs locally in this tab; nothing is sent away for the transformation.

Save results as:

Next: HTML escape · Trim text · All text tools · All tools

  • Decoder runs in your browser tab
  • Length tiles help spot double-encoding mistakes
  • Round-trip with HTML escape when you need safe markup again
  • Output can still contain HTML—do not auto-run it as trusted code

Length & format benchmarks

Loose writing-length guides—verify against your publisher’s spec.

  • Blog posts: ~800-2,000 words is a common full-article band before you split into a series.
  • SEO explainers: ~1,000-2,500 words when you need depth, headings, and internal links without filler.
  • Social: ~100-300 characters for a tight single post; threads need clear breaks.
  • Academic abstracts: often ~150-300 words-always match the venue PDF.

Try next: Reading time · Word counter · Keyword density · Sentence counter · Character counter · Text length

What this is for

You copied “HTML” that is actually a wall of < sequences and need the real angle brackets back for editing or quoting.

  • Cleaning helpdesk replies that double-encoded markup
  • Reading RSS or CMS exports without mentally parsing entities
  • Checking whether anything changed before you paste into another tool
  • Preparing a string you will escape again in HTML escape

Safety: Decoding is not a sanitizer—treat the result like any other HTML fragment.

Support macros and copy/paste from webmail—this saves a detour through devtools.

Built for messy paste

Exports often ship with < chains. This view expands them so you can read the structure, with side stats so you know how much shorter the decoded string is.

How it works

  1. Paste the encoded blob; decoded text appears beside it immediately.
  2. Use the large token estimate as a sanity check, then skim words and read time if you care about length.
  3. Press Copy decoded text when the right column matches what you wanted to edit.

When to use it

  • Email / tickets - quoted HTML arrives double-encoded.
  • CMS / RSS - exports show entities instead of symbols.
  • Debugging - compare encoded vs decoded side by side.
  • Teaching - show what entities become after decode.

Quick tips

Need safe markup again? Use HTML escape. Check length limits with Character counter. Clean whitespace with Remove extra spaces. Explore all text tools or the full catalog.

Privacy: Your paste is not uploaded for decoding; it stays in the page until you leave or clear it.

FAQ

  • Is my text uploaded? Decoding stays in the browser; copying out is your action.
  • Why is input equal to output? Your paste may already be plain text or use entities this pass does not expand.
  • Does Copy include stats? No-Copy decoded text copies only the output textarea.
  • Is this a security sanitizer? No-it decodes for readability; never treat output as trusted HTML without your own rules.
  • Can I use it on my phone? Yes—the encoded box sits above the decoded preview; scroll either column if the paste is huge.

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