Unicode Converter
Convert text to Unicode escape sequences (\uXXXX) and back. Free online Unicode encoder and decoder for JavaScript, JSON, and debugging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unicode encoding?
Unicode encoding converts characters into escape sequences like \uXXXX (for JavaScript/JSON) or &#xXXXX; (for HTML). This is essential when working with non-ASCII characters in code, APIs, or data formats that require ASCII-only text.
Why do I need Unicode escapes?
Unicode escapes are used when you need to represent international characters (Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, emoji, etc.) in contexts that only support ASCII โ such as JSON strings, JavaScript source code, HTML attributes, or legacy systems.
What's the difference between \uXXXX and HTML entities?
\uXXXX is used in JavaScript, JSON, and many programming languages. &#xXXXX; is the HTML hexadecimal entity format. &#DDDD; is the HTML decimal entity format. They all represent the same Unicode code point, just in different syntaxes.
What does "Skip ASCII" mean?
When enabled, standard ASCII characters (letters A-Z, a-z, digits 0-9, and common punctuation) are left as-is in the output. Only non-ASCII characters are converted to Unicode escapes. This makes the output more readable.
Is this tool free and private?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up required. All conversion happens in your browser. Your data never leaves your device.