How to use the BBCode to HTML Converter
- Choose BBCode → HTML to convert forum markup, or HTML → BBCode to turn web content into a forum post.
- Type or paste into the left box. Use the toolbar to wrap the selected text in tags like [b], [url], [quote] or [list].
- The converted result appears on the right with a live preview below.
- Click Copy and paste it into your site, email or forum editor.
BBCode cheat sheet
| BBCode | Result |
|---|---|
[b]bold[/b], [i]italic[/i], [u]underline[/u], [s]strike[/s] | bold, italic, underline, |
[url]https://example.com[/url] or [url=https://example.com]text[/url] | A link |
[img]https://example.com/a.png[/img] | An image |
[quote]text[/quote] or [quote=Name]text[/quote] | A quote, optionally with the author |
[code]…[/code] | Code, shown as-is in a monospace block |
[list][*]one[*]two[/list], [list=1]…[/list] | Bulleted or numbered list |
[color=red]…[/color], [size=5]…[/size] | Text color (name or #hex) and size (1–7) |
[center]…[/center], [left], [right] | Alignment |
[spoiler=Title]…[/spoiler] | Collapsible hidden text |
[table][tr][td]…[/td][/tr][/table] | A table |
Safe output
Everything you type is escaped first, and only known tags become HTML. Links and images must use http, https or mailto, so javascript: links and inline event handlers can’t get through — the HTML is safe to paste into a page. Unknown tags are left as text, like most forums do.
Forum software
BBCode (“bulletin board code”) is used by vBulletin, phpBB, XenForo, MyBB, Simple Machines Forum and Invision Community. The common tags above work almost everywhere; size scales differ (phpBB uses percentages, vBulletin 1–7). Want to know which forum software a site runs? Use the website technology checker.
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Tools that pair well with the BBCode to HTML Converter
- Markdown to HTML — Write or paste Markdown and get clean HTML instantly — with a sanitized live preview, GitHub-flavored tables, task lists and fenced code blocks.
- HTML to Markdown — Paste HTML — or copy rich text straight from a web page, Google Doc or email — and get tidy Markdown you can drop into a README, wiki or static site.
- HTML Formatter — Paste minified or messy markup and get clean, consistently indented HTML — including embedded <style> and <script> blocks.
- HTML Entity Encoder — Escape < > & " so text is safe to show in HTML, convert accents and symbols to named or numeric entities, or decode entity-filled HTML back to plain text.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert BBCode to HTML?
Paste the BBCode into the left box with BBCode → HTML selected. The HTML appears on the right with a live preview; click Copy to use it.
Can I convert HTML to BBCode?
Yes. Switch to HTML → BBCode and paste HTML. Bold, italic, links, images, quotes, code, lists, headings, colors and alignment become BBCode tags for your forum post.
Is the generated HTML safe?
Yes. Input is escaped, only known tags are converted, and only http, https and mailto links are allowed, so scripts and javascript: links are removed.
Which forums use BBCode?
vBulletin, phpBB, XenForo, MyBB, Simple Machines Forum, Invision Community and many game and hobby forums. The basic tags are the same everywhere.
Can I install BBCode to HTML Converter as a web app and use it offline?
Yes. BBCode to HTML Converter is an installable web app (PWA) — installed from your browser, not downloaded from an app store. Click Install app at the top of this page in Chrome or Edge (Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS) or on Android, use Share → Add to Home Screen on iPhone and iPad, or File → Add to Dock in Safari 17+ on a Mac. It then opens in its own window with its own icon, and because it runs entirely in your browser it keeps working offline. Firefox on desktop can’t install web apps. How installing works.