Live BBCode preview
See a visual result as you type instead of guessing how common forum tags will look.
BBCode Viewer - Preview and Convert BBCode to HTML
Paste BBCode to preview common forum tags and view generated HTML. Convert BBCode locally, then copy or download the result without sending your post to a server.
Paste markup or drop a local BBCode/text file
Converted output
Your BBCode preview and HTML output will appear here.
Your text is processed locally. HTML and unsupported BBCode stay as visible text; links, images, colours, and sizes use restricted safe values in the preview.
Preview BBCode before you publish
BBCode is still used by forums, communities, and legacy post editors. This BBCode viewer turns supported markup into a readable preview and HTML code so you can review the result before pasting it elsewhere.
BBCode to HTML
Switch to the generated HTML code when you need a portable representation of supported markup.
Local file workflow
Paste BBCode, upload a small text file, or drag one onto the editor, then copy or download the result.
Safer rendering
The viewer escapes source text first and only creates allowlisted links, images, colours, and sizes.
How to use the BBCode viewer
Paste or import BBCode
Enter forum markup in the left editor, choose a local file, or drop a file onto it.
Read the preview
The preview updates shortly after you type and shows the supported formatting in a readable form.
Inspect HTML code
Choose HTML code to review the generated markup without treating your original text as executable HTML.
Copy or download
Copy the source or generated HTML, or download the HTML result as a file.
Supported BBCode tags
The viewer supports a practical set of common forum tags. Tags from a specific forum can vary, so use its own preview when its rules differ.
| BBCode | Preview behavior |
|---|---|
[b]text[/b] | Bold text |
[i]text[/i] | Italic text |
[u]text[/u], [s]text[/s] | Underlined or struck-through text |
[center]…[/center] | Centre, left, or right alignment |
[color=#2563eb]…[/color] | A restricted colour name or hexadecimal colour |
[size=4]…[/size] | A fixed size level from 1 to 7 |
[url=https://…]text[/url] | Safe http, https, or mailto link |
[img]https://…[/img] | Safe http or https image URL |
[quote]…[/quote], [code]…[/code] | Quoted text or a preformatted code block |
[list][*]item[/list] | A bulleted list; use [list=1] for an ordered list |
Unsupported, malformed, or vendor-specific tags remain visible as text. The preview is a helpful check, not a guarantee of every forum’s final rendering.
When a BBCode preview is useful
Check a forum post
Review headings, emphasis, quotes, lists, and links before publishing a community post.
Move legacy content
Inspect older BBCode content and copy its generated HTML while planning a content migration.
Prepare support replies
Preview reusable BBCode snippets for help desks, game communities, and discussion boards.
Learn markup basics
Compare simple BBCode tags with their visual result and generated HTML.
Preview and input notes
Why does a tag stay visible?
The tag may be unsupported, incomplete, or specific to a forum dialect. Visible source is safer than guessing an HTML conversion.
Why is my link or image not active?
The preview only permits selected URL schemes. Use a complete https or http URL for images and links, or mailto for links.
Why can my forum look different?
Forums can add custom tags and their own styles. Use this viewer to check common markup, then confirm important posts in the destination forum.
BBCode viewer FAQ
What is BBCode?
BBCode is a bracket-based markup format commonly used in forums to add formatting such as bold text, links, quotes, and lists.
Does this viewer upload my post?
No. Conversion, previewing, local file reading, copying, and downloading happen in your browser.
Can I convert BBCode to HTML?
Yes. Open the HTML code tab to inspect and copy the generated HTML for supported tags.
Are all BBCode tags supported?
No. BBCode dialects vary. This tool focuses on common formatting, links, images, quotes, code, and lists.
Why are unsafe URLs not converted?
The preview restricts resource URLs and style values so untrusted markup cannot turn into active or arbitrary page content.