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U+2402 · Control Pictures

Symbol for Start of Text ␂

Symbol for Start of Text is the Unicode character U+2402 (official name “SYMBOL FOR START OF TEXT”) from the Control Pictures block. It belongs to SymbolHero’s technical & keyboard symbols collection. Copy it with the button, or use the codes and keyboard methods below to type it yourself.

UnicodeU+2402
HTML␂
␂U+2402

Character codes

Unicode code pointU+2402
Decimal9218
HTML (hex)␂
HTML (decimal)␂
CSS\2402
JavaScript\u2402
Python\u2402
UTF-8 bytesE2 90 82
UTF-162402
URL-encoded%E2%90%82

Character details

Official nameSYMBOL FOR START OF TEXT
Unicode blockControl Pictures
General categoryOther Symbol (So)
SymbolHero categoryTechnical & Keyboard Symbols
EmojiNo

How to type ␂

Windows

  • In Microsoft Word or Outlook: type 2402 then press Alt + X.
  • Open Character Map (search “Character Map” in Start), tick “Advanced view”, search for “symbol for start of text”, then Select and Copy.

Mac

  • Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search “symbol for start of text”, and double-click the result.
  • With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2402.

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 “symbol for start of text” or enter U+2402.
  • HTML: ␂
  • Excel / Google Sheets: =UNICHAR(9218)

Similar technical & keyboard symbols

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Power On-Off Symbol
Power on Symbol
Power Sleep Symbol
Observer Eye Symbol
Symbol for Null
Symbol for Start of Heading
Symbol for End of Text
Symbol for End of Transmission
Symbol for Enquiry
Symbol for Acknowledge
Symbol for Bell
Symbol for Backspace
Symbol for Horizontal Tabulation
Symbol for Line Feed
Symbol for Vertical Tabulation
Symbol for Form Feed
Symbol for Carriage Return
Symbol for Shift Out

See all 263 technical & keyboard symbols →

Questions

What is the Unicode for ␂?

It is U+2402 (SYMBOL FOR START OF TEXT), decimal 9218.

Is there a Windows Alt code for it?

No standard Alt code exists for this character. In Word type 2402 then Alt+X, or copy it from this page.

How do I type it on a Mac?

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

What is the HTML code?

Use the numeric reference ␂ (or ␂). There is no named entity.