Subscript Four (₄) is the Unicode character at U+2084 in the Subscripts and Superscripts block. It looks like a small lowered 4 and is common in math and science text such as x₄ or C₄.
Remember
Character ₄
Unicode U+2084
Hex entity ₄
Decimal ₄
CSS escape \2084
Named entity (none)
All of these produce the same glyph: ₄. Prefer the Unicode character (or its entities) when you need that exact glyph; use <sub>4</sub> when you want semantic subscript formatting instead.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Direct character
₄
HTML text (UTF-8)
Hex entity
₄
HTML markup
Decimal entity
₄
HTML markup
CSS escape
\2084
Stylesheet content
Named entity
—
Not defined in HTML5
Semantic tag
<sub>4</sub>
HTML (formatting, not the ₄ glyph)
When to use which
Situation
Use
Need the Unicode glyph ₄
Type ₄, or ₄ / ₄
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\2084"
Semantic subscript for any text
<sub>4</sub>
Plain digit four (not subscript)
Type 4 (U+0034)
Looking for &sub4; or similar
Does not exist — use numeric form
See it
Live Preview
Subscript Four rendered in common writing contexts.
Inline textFourth term: x₄ = 4
Large glyph₄
In a formulaC₄ Fe₃O₄ a₁ + a₂ + a₃ + a₄
Monospacex₄ → fourth element
With entitiesHex: ₄ | Decimal: ₄
Semantic <sub>x4 (tag styles digit 4)
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows Subscript Four with the hex entity, decimal entity, CSS escape, and the semantic <sub> option. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS + <sub>
Four ways to show a lowered four in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Subscript Four (₄) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\2084";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Subscript Four using Hex Code: ₄</p>
<p>Subscript Four using HTML Code: ₄</p>
<p id="point">Subscript Four using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Semantic alternative: x<sub>4</sub></p>
</body>
</html>
Subscript Four using Hex Code: ₄
Subscript Four using HTML Code: ₄
Subscript Four using CSS Entity: ₄
Semantic alternative: x₄
How It Works
1. Hex:U+2084 → ₄ in HTML. The browser turns it into ₄.
2. Decimal: same code point as 8324 → ₄. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: use \2084 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ₄ after the paragraph text.
4. Semantic <sub>:x<sub>4</sub> styles digit four as a subscript. Prefer this when you need meaning, not a specific Unicode glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Subscript Four entities.
Named?
No named entity
HTML5 does not define &sub4; or similar. Use numeric forms.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2084 belongs in CSS. ₄ / ₄ belong in HTML.
₄ vs 4 vs ⁴
Different characters
₄ is U+2084; digit 4 is U+0034; superscript ⁴ is U+2074.
Glyph vs tag
Choose intentionally
Use the Unicode glyph for exact look; use <sub> for semantic subscript on any text.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ₄, not ₄.
Fonts
Check the glyph
Some fonts draw ₄ weakly. If appearance matters, test the font or prefer <sub>.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Subscript Four (U+2084) and its numeric entity forms (₄, ₄, CSS \\2084) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph shape depends on the font.
✓ Universal support
Subscript Four (₄)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or use <sub> 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+2084 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Use ₄ or ₄ for the Unicode glyph, \\2084 only inside CSS content, and <sub>4</sub> when you want semantic subscript.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: Subscript Four is U+2084 (decimal 8324).
HTML: use ₄ or ₄ when you need an entity.
CSS: use \2084 inside content for generated text.
Alternative: use <sub>4</sub> for semantic subscript formatting.
One line:U+2084 → ₄ / ₄ / CSS \2084, or semantic <sub>4</sub>.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ₄ (hex), ₄ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2084 in the content property. All render ₄. You can also paste the character ₄ directly when your file is UTF-8.
U+2084 (hex 2084, decimal 8324). It belongs to the Subscripts and Superscripts Unicode block.
No. HTML5 does not define a named entity for ₄. Use numeric references like ₄ or ₄.
Use ₄ (or its entities) when you need the exact Unicode subscript glyph. Use <sub>4</sub> when you want semantic subscript formatting for arbitrary text.
No. Digit four is U+0034. Superscript four is U+2074 (⁴). Subscript Four is U+2084 (₄) — a different character.
HTML entities (₄ or ₄) go in markup. The CSS escape \2084 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ₄.
🤔
Did you know?
Subscript four is Unicode U+2084 (decimal 8324). HTML5 has no named entity for it — use ₄ or ₄. It is a different character from digit four (U+0034) and from superscript four ⁴ (U+2074).
