Tilde Symbol
The tilde (~) is a punctuation mark used in plain text, programming, and markup contexts.
U+007E
The tilde (~) is a punctuation symbol with the Unicode code point U+007E. It’s commonly seen in writing and in technology when special notation is needed. Below you’ll find practical meanings, examples, and copy-ready options.
Tilde Symbol Meaning
The tilde (~) is a punctuation character named “TILDE” (Unicode U+007E). In general writing, it can suggest approximation or “about,” especially when you see it next to numbers (for example, ~10). In computing and programming, it often has special roles depending on the language or system, such as prefixing patterns, representing ranges, or performing bitwise/other operations. In markup and text systems it may appear as a literal character, or as part of escaping/encoding conventions. Because its exact behavior varies by context, it’s best to use it according to your tool’s rules.
Common uses
- •Indicating approximation in text, such as “~5 minutes”
- •Typing a “not equal to about” style hint in informal writing (tool- and audience-dependent)
- •Using it as a literal punctuation mark in usernames, handles, or text decoration
- •Employing it in programming or scripting where the tilde has syntax meaning
- •Representing it correctly in HTML/CSS/JavaScript using its escape forms
Examples
~ Tilde Symbol (U+007E)
- ~The wait time is ~2 hours.
- ~Disk usage: ~70% full.
- ~Username: dev~ops (example handle).
- ~Version range: ~1.4 (approximate).
- ~Type this character: ~
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+007E | |
| HTML Entity | ~ | |
| HTML Code | ~ | |
| CSS | \007E |
FAQ
What does the Tilde symbol mean?
The tilde (~) is a punctuation character named “TILDE” (Unicode U+007E). In general writing, it can suggest approximation or “about,” especially when you see it next to numbers (for example, ~10). In computing and programming, it often has special roles depending on the language or system, such as prefixing patterns, representing ranges, or performing bitwise/other operations. In markup and text systems it may appear as a literal character, or as part of escaping/encoding conventions. Because its exact behavior varies by context, it’s best to use it according to your tool’s rules.
What Unicode character is the tilde?
The tilde character is Unicode “TILDE” with code point U+007E.
How can I copy the tilde (~) safely in code?
You can use HTML entity ~ or escapes like \\007E (CSS) and \\u{007E} (JavaScript).
Does the tilde always mean “approximately”?
Not always. In plain text it’s often used as an approximation marker, but in programming and other systems it can have different, language-specific meanings.
Why does ~ behave differently across apps?
Because many tools treat the tilde as special syntax in certain contexts, while other contexts treat it as a normal punctuation character.