Number Sign Symbol
The number sign (#) is a punctuation symbol used in text, programming, and platform tagging.
U+0023
The # (number sign) is a common punctuation character used across everyday writing and digital interfaces. It can appear in plain text, styling, and code. Below you’ll find accurate copy options and practical ways to use it.
Number Sign Symbol Meaning
The number sign (#) is a punctuation symbol (Unicode U+0023) often used to indicate “number” or to label items. In everyday text, people use # to start tags or labels, such as topics and categories. In computing, it’s widely recognized as a comment marker in many programming and scripting languages, which helps developers annotate code. In web development, # is especially known in CSS selectors (for IDs) and in URLs where fragments follow the hash. Because it’s so widely supported, it’s a reliable character for interfaces, social posts, and technical writing.
Common uses
- •Starting hashtags in social media and short-form posts
- •Marking identifiers in CSS selectors (e.g., #header)
- •Denoting URL fragments after the hash (e.g., /page#section)
- •Writing comments in many programming languages (e.g., script or config files)
- •Formatting labeled lists, sections, or numbering styles in documents
Examples
# Number Sign (U+0023)
- ##news
- #Open the file at /docs#api-reference
- #Use #header for the main title style.
- ## This is a comment in a script
- #Order: #1024, Status: shipped
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+0023 | |
| HTML Entity | # | |
| HTML Code | # | |
| CSS | \0023 | |
| Alt Code | Alt + 35 | |
| Decimal | 35 |
How to type Number Sign Symbol (#)
On Windows
Hold Alt and type 35 on the numeric keypad. In Word, type 0023 then press Alt + X.
On Mac
Switch to the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then hold Option and type 0023. Or press Control + Command + Space and search.
On Linux
Press Control + Shift + U, type 0023, then press Enter or Space.
Anywhere
Copy # with the button above and paste it wherever you need it — this works on every device and in every app, with no keyboard shortcut to remember.
FAQ
What does the Number Sign symbol mean?
The number sign (#) is a punctuation symbol (Unicode U+0023) often used to indicate “number” or to label items. In everyday text, people use # to start tags or labels, such as topics and categories. In computing, it’s widely recognized as a comment marker in many programming and scripting languages, which helps developers annotate code. In web development, # is especially known in CSS selectors (for IDs) and in URLs where fragments follow the hash. Because it’s so widely supported, it’s a reliable character for interfaces, social posts, and technical writing.
What is the Unicode code point for the number sign (#)?
It is U+0023.
How do I copy the # symbol in HTML?
You can use the HTML entity #.
How do I escape # in CSS?
Use the CSS escape \\0023.
Does # mean the same thing everywhere?
No. It’s used for hashtags, URL fragments, CSS IDs, and comments depending on the context.