Reverse Solidus Symbol
The backslash (\\), Unicode U+005C, is commonly used in programming, escaping, and file paths.
U+005C
The symbol \\ is called the reverse solidus. It appears in plain text and is widely used in programming languages. Learn its meaning, common uses, and copy/paste forms here.
Reverse Solidus Symbol Meaning
The reverse solidus (\\) is a punctuation symbol with Unicode code point U+005C. In many programming and markup contexts, it acts as an escape character, which lets text represent special characters or sequences (for example, to include quotes or control characters). It is also used in file paths on some systems, as well as in regular expressions and string literals. In writing, it may show “slash-like” separators or appear in URLs and documentation, depending on the platform. When copying, using the correct character matters because similar-looking symbols (like a forward slash) behave differently in code.
Common uses
- •Escaping special characters in programming strings (e.g., including quotes or newlines)
- •Writing file and folder paths where backslash is expected by a system or tool
- •Denoting escape sequences in regular expressions and pattern strings
- •Using markup or configuration syntax that requires a backslash as a control character
- •Escaping characters when generating code or documentation from scripts
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+005C | |
| HTML Entity | \ | |
| HTML Code | \ | |
| CSS | \005C |
FAQ
What does the Reverse Solidus symbol mean?
The reverse solidus (\\) is a punctuation symbol with Unicode code point U+005C. In many programming and markup contexts, it acts as an escape character, which lets text represent special characters or sequences (for example, to include quotes or control characters). It is also used in file paths on some systems, as well as in regular expressions and string literals. In writing, it may show “slash-like” separators or appear in URLs and documentation, depending on the platform. When copying, using the correct character matters because similar-looking symbols (like a forward slash) behave differently in code.
What Unicode character is the backslash?
The backslash is the Reverse Solidus, with Unicode code point U+005C.
How do I copy the exact symbol?
Copy the character directly from here (\\). For code or HTML, you can also use \.
Is backslash the same as a forward slash (/)?
No. They look similar but they are different characters and usually behave differently in code, URLs, and paths.
Why does backslash “escape” characters in code?
In many languages and tools, a backslash indicates that the following character is part of an escape sequence or special notation rather than literal text.