HTML symbols are characters or icons that can be used in your web pages to enhance content visually or provide meaning without needing extra images or styling. These symbols range from mathematical operators to currency signs and emojis.
In this guide by The Coding College, we’ll explore the basics of HTML symbols, their types, and how to use them in your projects to improve functionality and user experience.
What Are HTML Symbols?
HTML symbols are special characters that are displayed using HTML entities or Unicode. These symbols are widely supported across browsers and can be inserted into your code using either their entity name, number, or hexadecimal code.
For example:
- Entity Name:
♥
- Entity Number:
♥
- Hexadecimal Code:
♥
Types of HTML Symbols
1. Mathematical Symbols
Used for math operations and equations.
Symbol | Entity Name | Entity Number | Description |
---|---|---|---|
+ | + | + | Plus |
− | − | − | Minus |
× | × | × | Multiplication |
÷ | ÷ | ÷ | Division |
≤ | ≤ | ≤ | Less than or equal to |
≥ | ≥ | ≥ | Greater than or equal to |
2. Currency Symbols
Used to display monetary values.
Symbol | Entity Name | Entity Number | Description |
---|---|---|---|
$ | $ | $ | Dollar |
€ | € | € | Euro |
£ | £ | £ | British Pound |
¥ | ¥ | ¥ | Japanese Yen |
¢ | ¢ | ¢ | Cent |
3. Arrows
Used for navigation or directions.
Symbol | Entity Name | Entity Number | Description |
---|---|---|---|
← | ← | ← | Left arrow |
→ | → | → | Right arrow |
↑ | ↑ | ↑ | Up arrow |
↓ | ↓ | ↓ | Down arrow |
↔ | ↔ | ↔ | Left-right arrow |
4. Special Characters and Shapes
Used to display specific meanings or add design elements.
Symbol | Entity Name | Entity Number | Description |
---|---|---|---|
♥ | ♥ | ♥ | Heart |
★ | ★ | ★ | Star (filled) |
☀ | &sun; | ☼ | Sun |
☎ | ☎ | ☎ | Telephone |
How to Use HTML Symbols
Example 1: Using Entity Names
<p>Show a heart symbol: ♥</p>
Output:
Show a heart symbol: ♥
Example 2: Using Entity Numbers
<p>Show a star symbol: ★</p>
Output:
Show a star symbol: ★
Example 3: Using Hexadecimal Codes
<p>Show a sun symbol: ☀</p>
Output:
Show a sun symbol: ☀
Combining Symbols
You can combine multiple symbols to create more engaging and meaningful content.
<p>Math example: 5 × 3 = 15</p>
<p>Currency example: $100 €200</p>
<p>Direction example: Go → to the next page.</p>
Output:
Math example: 5 × 3 = 15
Currency example: $100 €200
Direction example: Go → to the next page.
Why Use HTML Symbols?
- Universal Compatibility: HTML symbols work across all major browsers and devices.
- Improved Readability: Symbols help make content visually engaging and easy to understand.
- No Need for Images: Instead of using images for icons, symbols can be used to reduce page load time.
Practical Example
Here’s a simple HTML page demonstrating the use of symbols:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>HTML Symbols | The Coding College</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>HTML Symbols</h1>
<p>Welcome to The Coding College ♥</p>
<p>Currency: $100 €200</p>
<p>Math Operations: 10 × 5 = 50</p>
<p>Navigation: Click → for more tutorials!</p>
</body>
</html>
Conclusion
HTML symbols are a powerful tool for adding meaningful icons, improving content readability, and reducing dependency on external images. By incorporating symbols effectively, you can create engaging, lightweight, and accessible web pages.
For more detailed tutorials and examples, visit The Coding College and enhance your web development skills!