Markdown HTML Entities
Last updated: 2026-10-14
HTML Entities CommonMark core
Markdown passes HTML entities through: © shows (c), < shows <, ☃ shows a snowflake. Great for special symbols and comparison operators; browsers decode them in the final HTML.
| Group | Basic: Inline |
|---|---|
| Spec level | CommonMark core |
| Spec version | CommonMark 0.31.2 + GFM |
📝 Syntax
&name; or &#decimal; or &#xhex;▶ Live Example
Edit Markdown on the left, see the result on the right
💡 Key points
ℹ️ Note Names are case-sensitive: < works, < does not.
⚠️ Warning A typo leaves &xxx; visible — check in preview before publishing.
❓ FAQ
Q Which entities are most used?
A < > & " © ® ™ plus math ones like ≠ and ≤.
Q Do entities work inside code blocks?
A No — entities show literally inside code, which is handy for demos.
Q Why not paste the character directly?
A < and & interfere with HTML; entities are safest, other symbols paste fine.
📚 See also
Backslash EscapesCommonMark core Inline HTMLCommonMark core