HTML entities are special codes used to display reserved characters and symbols in HTML without breaking your markup. Whether you need © for © or < for <, this reference covers 150+ entities with name codes, numeric codes, and one-click copy.
No entities match your search.
How to Use the HTML Entities Reference
This HTML entities reference gives you instant access to 150+ HTML entities across 8 categories — with the rendered character, named entity, decimal code, hex code, and one-click copy buttons. Use the search box or category tabs to find what you need in seconds.
Step 1: Search or browse by category
Type into the search box to filter entities in real time by name, description, or the character itself. Click a category tab to browse by group: Common symbols like & and ©, Currency symbols like €, Math operators, Arrows, Greek letters, Typography marks, Accented Latin characters, and Misc symbols.
Step 2: Copy the code you need
Each row has three copy buttons: Name copies the named entity like ©, # copies the decimal code like ©, and Char copies the raw character like ©. Click the button that matches your use case.
When to use each format
Use the named entity (©) when writing HTML by hand — it is the most readable and well-supported format. Use the numeric decimal code (©) when no named entity exists or when targeting older systems. Use the hex code (©) when you want to align with Unicode documentation. Use the raw character when your HTML file is UTF-8 encoded — modern browsers handle UTF-8 perfectly.
Characters you must always encode
A few characters have special meaning in HTML and must be encoded: the less-than sign < must be written as <, the greater-than sign > as >, the ampersand & as &, and double quotes inside attribute values as ". Failing to encode these can cause browsers to misparse your markup.
Greek letters and math symbols
HTML entities include the full Greek alphabet (alpha through omega in both cases) and a rich set of mathematical symbols: π for π, ∞ for ∞, ∑ for ∑, and more. These are invaluable for scientific content, mathematical documentation, and educational websites where you need to display formulas without MathML or LaTeX.
FAQ
Is this HTML entities reference free to use?
Yes, completely free. The reference runs entirely in your browser with no signup, no account, and no usage limits. You can search, filter, and copy HTML entities as many times as you need.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes. Everything runs locally in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server. Your searches and activity stay entirely on your device.
What is an HTML entity?
An HTML entity is a string that begins with an ampersand (&) and ends with a semicolon (;). Entities are used to display reserved characters (like < and >) and special symbols (like ©, €, and ♥) in HTML without the browser misinterpreting them as markup.
What is the difference between entity name, numeric code, and hex code?
All three refer to the same character. The entity name (e.g., &copy;) is a human-readable named reference. The numeric code (e.g., ©) uses the Unicode decimal code point. The hex code (e.g., ©) uses the same Unicode value in hexadecimal. All browsers support all three forms.
When should I use HTML entities instead of typing the character directly?
Use entities for characters that have special meaning in HTML: < (&lt;), > (&gt;), & (&amp;), and " (&quot;). For other characters like © or €, you can type them directly in UTF-8 encoded documents — but entities work as a safe fallback in all encoding contexts.
What is a non-breaking space (&nbsp;) and when should I use it?
The non-breaking space (&nbsp; or  ) prevents the browser from inserting a line break at that position. It is commonly used to keep words together (like a number and its unit: 10&nbsp;kg), to add spacing in situations where CSS is not available, or to prevent table cells from collapsing when empty.
Can I use HTML entities in CSS content or JavaScript strings?
HTML entities only work inside HTML markup — not in CSS or JavaScript strings. In CSS, use Unicode escape sequences like \00A9 for ©. In JavaScript, use the actual Unicode character, the escape \u00A9, or insert it with String.fromCharCode(169).
Why do some characters have entity names and others only have numeric codes?
HTML named entities were defined in the HTML specification for commonly used characters. Not every Unicode character has a named entity. Characters without a named entity (like most emoji and obscure symbols) can still be represented using numeric codes (decimal &#NNN; or hex &#xHHH;) which cover the entire Unicode range.