HTML Entity for Asterisk operator (∗)
What You'll Learn
How to insert the asterisk operator (∗, Unicode U+2217) in HTML. This is the centered mathematical asterisk defined in the Mathematical Operators block—not the same code point as the ASCII star on your keyboard (U+002A, *). For the ASCII character, see Asterisk math (U+002A).
You can write it as ∗, ∗, ∗, or \2217 in CSS content. Browsers map ∗ to U+2217 per the HTML named-character reference list.
⚡ Quick Reference — Asterisk operator (U+2217)
U+2217Mathematical Operators
∗Hexadecimal reference
∗Decimal reference
∗Readable in source
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2217
Hex code ∗
HTML code ∗
Named entity ∗
CSS code \2217Complete HTML Example
Hex, decimal, named entity ∗, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2217";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Asterisk using Hexa Decimal: ∗</p>
<p>Asterisk using HTML Code: ∗</p>
<p>Asterisk using HTML Entity: ∗</p>
<p id="point">Asterisk using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
∗ and numeric references for U+2217 are supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
U+2217 beside the ASCII asterisk (U+002A) for comparison (glyphs can look similar depending on the font):
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
∗ selects U+2217 using hex digits 2217.
Decimal HTML Code
∗ is decimal 872710 = 0x2217.
CSS Entity
\2217 is the CSS escape for the same code point in content (or other CSS strings that accept escapes).
Named Entity
∗ is the standard named form for U+2217—do not confuse with * (U+002A).
Same visual result
All references resolve to ∗ (ASTERISK OPERATOR). Block: U+2200–U+22FF Mathematical Operators.
Use Cases
Typical reasons to use U+2217 instead of the keyboard *:
Operator glyph in equations where Unicode semantics matter (e.g. convolution-style prose).
Documents that distinguish operator characters from ASCII punctuation.
Decorative bullets when you want the operator glyph rather than U+002A.
Explaining wildcard syntax while showing a typographic operator star.
Narrative text about operators without tripping Markdown emphasis rules on *.
Still pair footnote or “required” stars with visible text or ARIA.
Stable Unicode code point across locales for the operator character.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Pick
∗or numeric forms and stay consistent in one document - Use math fonts (STIX, Cambria Math) for aligned equation layouts
- Document whether your style guide means U+2217 or U+002A for “star” operators
- Reserve
\2217for CSScontent, not raw HTML text - Link readers to U+002A when they need the ASCII asterisk
Don’t
- Assume
*and∗are the same (they are not) - Use U+2217 in passwords or code that must match literal ASCII
* - Mix U+002A and U+2217 randomly in one formula without reason
- Paste CSS escapes into HTML text nodes
- Rely on glyph shape alone to teach the code-point difference—name the Unicode values
Key Takeaways
U+2217 is the asterisk operator; U+002A is ASCII *
∗ ∗Decimal ∗ is equivalent to hex ∗
∗CSS: \2217 inside content
\2217Block: Mathematical Operators (with ∗, ×, ∑, etc.)
For keyboard-style stars in prose, see Asterisk math
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∗, ∗, ∗, or \2217 in CSS content.U+2217 ASTERISK OPERATOR. Decimal 8727, hex 2217.∗ is U+2217; * is U+002A (ASCII asterisk). They may look alike but are different characters.\2217 is for CSS strings. Same glyph, different syntax.Explore More HTML Entities!
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