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U+2588 · Block Elements

Full Block

The full block is a solid rectangle that fills an entire character cell. It is a staple of text-mode graphics: progress bars, ASCII art, terminal interfaces and retro game screens. Because adjacent blocks touch with no gap in monospaced fonts, rows of them form continuous bars.

WindowsAlt 219
UnicodeU+2588
HTML█
U+2588

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+2588
Decimal9608
HTML named entity█
HTML (hex)
HTML (decimal)
CSS\2588
JavaScript\u2588
Python\u2588
UTF-8 bytesE2 96 88
UTF-162588
URL-encoded%E2%96%88

Character details

Official nameFULL BLOCK
Unicode blockBlock Elements
General categoryOther Symbol (So)
SymbolHero categoryBlock Elements
EmojiNo

How to type █

Windows

  • Hold Alt and type 219 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 219 uses the code page 437.
  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 2588 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “full block”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “full block”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2588.

iPhone & Android

  • Tap Copy at the top of this page, then long-press where you want it and choose Paste.

Docs & web

  • Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search “full block” or enter U+2588.
  • HTML: █ or
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(9608)

Examples

  • Progress: ██████░░░░ 60%
  • ███ Loading ███
  • █ = 10 units in a text chart

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: It is often confused with the black square ■ (U+25A0), which is smaller and leaves space around it.

Tip: On Windows, hold Alt and type 219 on the numeric keypad; in HTML, use █.

Display: the character itself is always the same code point, but its shape comes from the font on the device showing it. If you see an empty box, the font lacks this glyph—the text is still correct.

Questions

What is the Unicode for █?

It is U+2588 (FULL BLOCK), decimal 9608.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

Yes: Alt 219 on the numeric keypad.

How do I type it on a Mac?

There is no built-in Option shortcut. Use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search “full block”, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity █ or the numeric reference █.