Alef symbol (ℵ) is the Letterlike Symbols character at Unicode U+2135. It is the glyph used for aleph cardinals in mathematics (for example ℵ0 with a subscript). You can paste ℵ in UTF-8 HTML, use the named entity ℵ, or write a numeric character reference.
Remember
Character ℵ
Unicode U+2135
Hex entity ℵ
Decimal ℵ
Named entity ℵ
CSS escape \2135
Not the same U+05D0 (Hebrew letter alef)
All of the entity forms above produce the same glyph: ℵ. Prefer ℵ in hand-written HTML. Do not use U+2135 for ordinary Hebrew text — use Hebrew letter alef (U+05D0) instead.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Direct character
ℵ
HTML text (UTF-8)
Named entity
ℵ
HTML markup (most readable)
Hex entity
ℵ
HTML markup
Decimal entity
ℵ
HTML markup
CSS escape
\2135
Stylesheet content
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
Math / set theory (aleph cardinals)
ℵ or paste ℵ
Need a numeric reference
ℵ or ℵ
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\2135"
Hebrew words / paragraphs
Hebrew letter alef U+05D0 — not U+2135
Aleph-null style notation
ℵ<sub>0</sub> (symbol + subscript)
See it
Live Preview
Alef symbol rendered in common math contexts.
Inline textThe cardinality of the naturals is ℵ0.
Large glyphℵ
With subscriptsℵ0 ℵ1 ℵ2
MonospaceCARD=ℵ (U+2135)
With entitiesHex: ℵ | Decimal: ℵ | Named: ℵ
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows ℵ with hex, decimal, named entity, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + Named + CSS + Typed
Five ways to produce ℵ in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Alef Symbol (ℵ) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\2135";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Alef using Hex Code: ℵ</p>
<p>Alef using HTML Code: ℵ</p>
<p>Alef using Named Entity: ℵ</p>
<p id="point">Alef using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: ℵ</p>
</body>
</html>
Alef using Hex Code: ℵ
Alef using HTML Code: ℵ
Alef using Named Entity: ℵ
Alef using CSS Entity: ℵ
Typed directly: ℵ
How It Works
1. Hex:U+2135 → ℵ in HTML. The browser turns it into ℵ.
2. Decimal: same code point as 8501 → ℵ. Same result as hex.
3. Named:ℵ is the standard HTML name for U+2135 — clear in source.
4. CSS: use \2135 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ℵ after the paragraph text.
5. Typed ℵ: fine in UTF-8 source. All five lines show the same glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with the Alef symbol entity.
Hebrew
Not for Hebrew prose
U+2135 is the math letterlike ℵ. Hebrew words need U+05D0 (א) and the Hebrew script block.
Named
Prefer ℵ
In hand-written HTML, the named entity is easier to read than ℵ.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2135 belongs in CSS. ℵ / ℵ / ℵ belong in HTML.
Subscripts
ℵ₀ needs two parts
There is no single “aleph-null” entity. Combine ℵ with a subscript digit.
Fonts
Check Letterlike coverage
Some webfonts omit U+2135. Test math / body fonts for Letterlike Symbols.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ℵ, not &alefsym.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Alef symbol (U+2135) and its entity forms (ℵ, ℵ, ℵ, CSS \\2135) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph appearance depends on font coverage for the Letterlike Symbols block.
✓ Universal support
Alef Symbol (ℵ)
Paste ℵ, or encode with named, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — same glyph everywhere.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+2135 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ℵ in hand-written HTML. Use ℵ or ℵ when a numeric form is clearer, and \\2135 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: Alef symbol is U+2135 (decimal 8501).
HTML: prefer ℵ, or use ℵ / ℵ.
CSS: use \2135 inside content for generated text.
Math ≠ Hebrew: U+2135 is letterlike ℵ; U+05D0 is Hebrew alef.
Use ℵ (hex), ℵ (decimal), ℵ (named), or the CSS escape \2135 in the content property. All render Alef symbol (ℵ). You can also paste ℵ directly if your file is UTF-8.
U+2135 (hex 2135, decimal 8501). Unicode names it Alef symbol. It belongs to the Letterlike Symbols block and is used for aleph cardinals in mathematics.
Yes. ℵ maps to U+2135. Prefer it in hand-written HTML; numeric forms are useful in generated markup or XML contexts.
Use U+2135 for the mathematical letterlike ℵ (e.g. ℵ₀ in set theory). Use U+05D0 (א) for normal Hebrew words and paragraphs — they are different characters.
HTML entities (ℵ, ℵ, or ℵ) go in markup. The CSS escape \2135 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ℵ.
Use ℵ (or ℵ) plus a subscript zero — for example ℵ<sub>0</sub> or ℵ₀. Pair U+2135 with a subscript digit, not a single special “aleph-null” entity.
🤔
Did you know?
Alef symbol is Unicode U+2135 (decimal 8501) in the Letterlike Symbols block. HTML provides the named entity ℵ. It is not the same as Hebrew letter alef (U+05D0) used in Hebrew prose.
