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U+00B6 · Latin-1 Supplement

Paragraph Sign (Pilcrow)

The pilcrow, or paragraph sign, marks the start of a paragraph. Editors use it in proofreading to call for a new paragraph, word processors show it as the hidden formatting mark at the end of each paragraph, and legal writing uses it to cite numbered paragraphs. Some websites also use it as a clickable permalink next to headings.

WindowsAlt 20 / 0182
MacOption + 7
UnicodeU+00B6
HTML
U+00B6

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+00B6
Decimal182
HTML named entity
HTML (hex)
HTML (decimal)
CSS\00B6
JavaScript\u00B6
Python\u00B6
UTF-8 bytesC2 B6
UTF-1600B6
URL-encoded%C2%B6

Character details

Official namePILCROW SIGN
Unicode blockLatin-1 Supplement
General categoryOther Punctuation (Po)
SymbolHero categoryPunctuation
EmojiNo

How to type ¶

Windows

  • Hold Alt and type 20 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 20 uses the code page 437.
  • Hold Alt and type 0182 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. Alt 0182 uses the Windows-1252 code page.
  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 00B6 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “pilcrow sign”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Option + 7 (US English keyboard layout).
  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “pilcrow sign”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 00B6.

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 “pilcrow sign” or enter U+00B6.
  • HTML: or
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(182)

Examples

  • See Complaint ¶ 12
  • Proofreader's note: ¶ start new paragraph
  • Show/Hide ¶ in Microsoft Word
  • Heading permalink ¶

Good to know

Don’t mix it up: Often confused with the section sign § (U+00A7), which cites sections rather than paragraphs, and with the reversed pilcrow ⁋ (U+204B).

Tip: In legal citations, a double pilcrow (¶¶ 4–7) means 'paragraphs 4 through 7'.

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.

Guides

How to Type Special Characters on a Mac Alt Codes: How to Use Them (With and Without a Numpad)

Similar punctuation

Inverted Exclamation Mark
Broken Bar
Section Sign
Diaeresis
Copyright Symbol
Left Guillemet
Registered Trademark Symbol
Macron
Acute Accent
Middle Dot
Cedilla
Right Guillemet
Inverted Question Mark
En Dash
Em Dash
Left Single Quotation Mark
Right Single Quotation Mark (Apostrophe)
Single Low-9 Quotation Mark
Left Double Quotation Mark
Right Double Quotation Mark
Double Low-9 Quotation Mark

See all 195 punctuation →

Questions

What is the Unicode for ¶?

It is U+00B6 (PILCROW SIGN), decimal 182.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

Yes: Alt 20 or Alt 0182 on the numeric keypad.

How do I type it on a Mac?

Option + 7 on a US English keyboard, or use the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space).

What is the HTML code?

Use the named entity ¶ or the numeric reference ¶.