Superscript Three (³) is the Unicode character at U+00B3 in the Latin-1 Supplement block. It looks like a small raised 3 and is common for cubes such as x³, m³, and exponents.
Remember
Character ³
Unicode U+00B3
Hex entity ³
Decimal ³
Named entity ³
CSS escape \00B3
All of these produce the same glyph: ³. Prefer ³ when you want readable markup; use <sup>3</sup> when you want semantic superscript formatting instead.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Direct character
³
HTML text (UTF-8)
Named entity
³
HTML markup (preferred readable form)
Hex entity
³
HTML markup
Decimal entity
³
HTML markup
CSS escape
\00B3
Stylesheet content
Semantic tag
<sup>3</sup>
HTML (formatting, not the ³ glyph)
When to use which
Situation
Use
Need the Unicode glyph ³
³, or ³ / ³
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\00B3"
Semantic superscript for any text
<sup>3</sup>
Plain digit three (not superscript)
Type 3 (U+0033)
Readable HTML source
Prefer ³
See it
Live Preview
Superscript Three rendered in common writing contexts.
Inline textVolume = 8 m³
Large glyph³
In a powerx³ = x × x × x 2³ = 8
Monospacen³ → cube
With entitiesNamed: ³ | Hex: ³ | Decimal: ³
Semantic <sup>x3 (tag styles digit 3)
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows Superscript Three with hex, decimal, named entity, CSS escape, and the semantic <sup> option. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + Named + CSS + <sup>
Five ways to show a raised three in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Superscript Three (³) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\00B3";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Superscript Three using Hex Code: ³</p>
<p>Superscript Three using HTML Code: ³</p>
<p>Superscript Three using Named Entity: ³</p>
<p id="point">Superscript Three using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Semantic alternative: x<sup>3</sup></p>
</body>
</html>
Superscript Three using Hex Code: ³
Superscript Three using HTML Code: ³
Superscript Three using Named Entity: ³
Superscript Three using CSS Entity: ³
Semantic alternative: x³
How It Works
1. Hex:U+00B3 → ³ in HTML. The browser turns it into ³.
2. Decimal: same code point as 179 → ³. Same result as hex.
3. Named:³ is the standard HTML named entity for ³ — easier to read in source.
4. CSS: use \00B3 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ³ after the paragraph text.
5. Semantic <sup>:x<sup>3</sup> styles digit three as a superscript. Prefer this when you need meaning, not a specific Unicode glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Superscript Three entities.
Named
Use ³
HTML5 defines ³ for ³. Prefer it for readable source; numeric forms still work.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\00B3 belongs in CSS. ³ / ³ / ³ belong in HTML.
³ vs 3 vs ₃
Different characters
³ is U+00B3; digit 3 is U+0033; subscript ₃ is U+2083.
Glyph vs tag
Choose intentionally
Use the Unicode glyph for exact look (great for m³); use <sup> for semantic superscript on any text.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ³ and ³, not without the semicolon.
Units
Cubed units
For volume units, m³ (m³) is clearer than styling a plain 3 with CSS alone.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Superscript Three (U+00B3) and its entity forms (³, ³, ³, CSS \\00B3) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph shape depends on the font.
✓ Universal support
Superscript Three (³)
Use ³, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or use <sup> for semantic formatting.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+00B3 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ³ (or ³ / ³) for the Unicode glyph, \\00B3 only inside CSS content, and <sup>3</sup> when you want semantic superscript.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: Superscript Three is U+00B3 (decimal 179).
HTML: prefer ³, or use ³ / ³.
CSS: use \00B3 inside content for generated text.
Alternative: use <sup>3</sup> for semantic superscript formatting.
One line:U+00B3 → ³ / ³ / ³ / CSS \00B3, or semantic <sup>3</sup>.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ³ (hex), ³ (decimal), ³ (named), or the CSS escape \00B3 in the content property. All render ³. You can also paste ³ directly when your file is UTF-8.
U+00B3 (hex 00B3, decimal 179). It belongs to the Latin-1 Supplement Unicode block.
Yes. HTML5 defines ³ for superscript three. You can also use numeric references ³ or ³.
Use ³ (or its entities) when you need the exact Unicode superscript glyph — common for cubed units like m³. Use <sup>3</sup> when you want semantic superscript formatting for arbitrary text.
No. Digit three is U+0033. Subscript three is U+2083 (₃). Superscript Three is U+00B3 (³) — a different character.
HTML entities (³, ³, or ³) go in markup. The CSS escape \00B3 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ³.
🤔
Did you know?
Superscript three is Unicode U+00B3 (decimal 179) in the Latin-1 Supplement block. Unlike most superscript digits, HTML5 defines a named entity: ³. It is a different character from digit three (U+0033) and from subscript three ₃ (U+2083).
