Free XML Unescape Tool Online
Decode XML entities back to readable characters instantly in your browser.
Escaped Input
XML Output
Examples
Paste escaped XML entities into the input panel and the tool will convert them back to their original characters automatically.
Unescape XML Entities
Escaped input with XML entities:
Unescaped Output:
Click Sample to load example escaped XML and see the unescaped result instantly.
What is XML Unescaping?
If you've ever pulled XML from an API or a database and found yourself staring at & instead of &, you know the headache. XML unescaping (entity decoding) converts those predefined XML character references back into the real characters they represent. The XML spec defines five built-in entities -- &, <, >, ", and ' -- and this tool handles all of them. For a deeper dive into how XML works, the MDN XML introduction is a great starting point.
This is the reverse process of XML escaping. You typically need to unescape XML when reading or displaying XML data that was previously escaped for transmission or storage.
How to Use
Paste Escaped XML
Paste your escaped XML string (containing entities like &, <, >) into the input editor.
Review Output
The unescaped result appears instantly in the output panel. Use the XML Validator to confirm the unescaped XML is well-formed.
Copy or Download
Copy the result to your clipboard or download it as a file. See also XML Escape for the reverse operation, or HTML Unescape for similar HTML entity decoding.
When Does Unescaping Matter?
XML unescaping is needed whenever you receive XML data that has been entity-encoded — for example, from an API response, a database field, or a message payload. Forgetting to unescape can cause your application to display raw entities like & instead of the intended characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five predefined XML entities?
The XML specification defines exactly five: & (&), < (<), > (>), " ("), and ' ('). This tool decodes all five back to their original characters.
Is XML unescaping the same as HTML unescaping?
Not quite. HTML defines over 2,000 named character references, while XML only has five. If you're working with HTML entities, use our HTML Unescape tool instead.
Can I switch between escape and unescape mode?
Yes -- click the Toggle button to flip between escape and unescape mode. You can also head over to our dedicated XML Escape tool.
Is my XML data sent to a server?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your machine, which makes this tool safe for sensitive or proprietary XML content.
How do I unescape numeric character references like &#60;?
This tool handles the five named XML entities. Numeric references (<, <) follow the same W3C character reference rules and are also decoded automatically.
Related Tools
References: W3C XML Specification | MDN XML Introduction