Official name and code point
See the standard name and hexadecimal form, such as U+00A9 for COPYRIGHT SIGN or U+2192 for RIGHTWARDS ARROW. The decimal value is included for systems that expose numeric character values.
Identify one Unicode symbol
What Is This Symbol?
Paste a symbol to find its official Unicode name, code point, category, block, and code escapes. This is a precise symbol identifier for copied text, punctuation, emoji parts, and marks that are difficult to recognize by sight.
Private in-browser lookup Unicode 18.0.0 reference data Invisible values shown safely
Identify a symbol Private Unicode lookup
Identify a symbol by its Unicode name
Paste one symbol or a short symbol sequence. The lookup runs in your browser and shows the encoded facts behind the glyph.
Use the exact glyph from the document or field. Sequences such as an emoji with a modifier are listed one code point at a time.
Start with the exact glyph
What this symbol identifier tells you
A symbol can look different across fonts and devices, while its Unicode code point remains the same. The lookup turns the pasted value into a short record you can verify or reuse.
Category and block
General category gives a broad classification such as symbol, punctuation, letter, mark, or format control. The block shows the named range in the Unicode charts where that code point belongs.
Reproducible code forms
JavaScript, HTML, and CSS escapes make a hard-to-see symbol explicit in source code, documentation, and bug reports. Copy the report when another person needs to reproduce the exact value.
A Unicode name is an encoding label. It is evidence about the value you pasted, not a claim about the symbol's intended meaning in every application.
A three-step lookup
How to identify a symbol by copy and paste
- 1
Copy the original glyph
Copy the symbol from the document, web page, message, spreadsheet, or field where it appears. Do not replace it with a visually similar character before checking it.
- 2
Paste and identify
Paste the exact value into the input and choose Identify symbol. A visible symbol is shown as-is; a control, separator, or zero-width value receives a safe label instead of being rendered directly.
- 3
Use the stable details
Compare the U+ code point and Unicode name with your source or application log. Copy the JavaScript, HTML, or CSS escape when you need to write the value in code.
Do not confuse the measures
Unicode name, code point, and visible meaning are different
When someone asks “what is this symbol?”, they may be asking for its name, its code, or its meaning in context. Start with the exact code point, then interpret the surrounding text separately.
| Question | The lookup can show | What still needs context |
|---|---|---|
| What is the symbol called? | Unicode name and any defined control alias. | Whether a product or style guide uses a different everyday name. |
| What is the symbol code? | U+ hexadecimal value, decimal value, and code escapes. | Which programming language or file format escape syntax is required. |
| What does the symbol mean? | Category and block as a standards reference. | Its meaning in a language, equation, interface, brand, or document. |
| Why can I not see it? | Safe labels for invisible, format, mark, and separator values. | Whether the value is intentional or should be removed in your workflow. |
One visible emoji can be a sequence rather than a single code point. A thumbs-up with a skin-tone modifier has a base symbol plus a modifier; a family emoji can use several people, joiners, and variation selectors. The tool lists the parts in order so a developer can distinguish a real sequence from a similar looking single glyph.
The same distinction matters for punctuation and spaces. A normal space, a no-break space, a narrow no-break space, and a word joiner can all affect layout differently even when a user sees only a gap. The exact code point is the useful starting point for debugging a search mismatch, validation error, copy issue, or unexpected line break.
Reference data and limits
Unicode 18.0.0 data, privacy, and scope
The identifier uses a versioned Unicode Character Database snapshot. The version is shown beside the result so a code review or support ticket can record which names, aliases, categories, and block ranges were used.
The symbol is processed in your browser. Loading the static reference data does not send the pasted value to an API, and the page does not save it in an account. You can clear the input after copying the report.
Some code points are reserved, private-use, or unassigned and therefore have no ordinary character name. In those cases the lookup says that no name is assigned instead of inventing a label. A defined control alias is shown as an alias so it is not confused with the formal name.
This page identifies encoded values. It does not perform image recognition, decide whether a symbol is safe, detect every homoglyph, translate a symbol into a language, or determine how a particular font will draw it. For hidden marks in a longer string, use the hidden character detector or the Unicode Character Checker.
For standards-level verification, consult the Unicode Character Database 18.0.0 and the Unicode Character Database specification. Those sources define the data model; this page provides a faster lookup for a pasted value.
Common symbol lookup questions
What Is This Symbol? FAQ
What is this symbol called?
Paste the symbol into the Unicode Symbol Identifier. It returns the Unicode name, code point, category, block, and common code escapes. The result describes the encoded symbol rather than guessing how a particular font or app uses it.
How do I identify a symbol by copy and paste?
Copy the exact symbol from the document, message, web page, or form, paste it into the identifier, and choose Identify symbol. The lookup runs in your browser and keeps the original value unchanged.
What is the Unicode code point for a symbol?
A Unicode code point is the hexadecimal identifier assigned to an encoded value. For example, the copyright sign is U+00A9 and the right arrow is U+2192. The identifier also shows the decimal value and code escapes for the result.
Can this tool identify an invisible symbol?
Yes. Spaces, zero-width marks, directional controls, combining marks, and other non-visible values are represented with a safe label. Their exact U+ value and Unicode name remain visible so the result cannot be confused with an ordinary blank cell.
Why does one emoji have several Unicode code points?
A visible emoji can contain a base character, a variation selector, a skin-tone modifier, regional indicators, or a zero-width joiner. The identifier lists each underlying code point in order so the sequence can be reproduced in code.
Does a Unicode name explain what a symbol means?
Only partly. The Unicode name is a stable standard label, but meaning can depend on a font, writing system, document convention, programming language, or product UI. Use the name as an encoding reference and verify the surrounding context separately.
What should I use for a whole sentence or copied text?
Use the Unicode Character Checker for a longer string. It groups every distinct code point, reports counts and positions, and compares UTF-8 bytes with UTF-16 units. This page stays focused on identifying one symbol or a short sequence.
Does the symbol identifier upload my text?
No. The lookup loads a versioned Unicode data file and processes the symbol in your browser. The input is not sent to a text API or stored in an account by this page.