HTML Entity for Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star (❂)
Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Sep 2026
1 example
Unicode U+2742
Definition
What Is the Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star Entity?
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star (❂) is the Unicode character at U+2742 in the Dingbats block (official name: CIRCLED OPEN CENTRE EIGHT POINTED STAR). It is a decorative eight-pointed star with an open centre, often used for bullets, badges, and design accents.
Remember
Character ❂
Unicode U+2742
Hex entity ❂
Decimal ❂
CSS escape \2742
Named entity (none)
All of these produce the same glyph: ❂. Prefer a typed ❂ in UTF-8 pages when the font supports it; use numeric entities for generated markup or when encoding must be explicit.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Direct character
❂
HTML text (UTF-8)
Hex entity
❂
HTML markup
Decimal entity
❂
HTML markup
CSS escape
\2742
Stylesheet content
Named entity
—
Not defined in HTML5
When to use which
Situation
Use
Need the ❂ glyph
Type ❂, or ❂ / ❂
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\2742"
Common filled star
Use ★ (U+2605)
Common outline star
Use ☆ (U+2606)
Looking for ☆ for this glyph
☆ is ☆ — not ❂; use numeric form for U+2742
See it
Live Preview
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star rendered in common writing contexts.
Inline text❂ Featured item
Large glyph❂
Compared❂ ★ ☆ ✶
Monospacemark ❂ → eight pointed star
With entitiesHex: ❂ | Decimal: ❂
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star with the hex entity, decimal entity, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed
All four ways to produce ❂ in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star (❂) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\2742";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using Hex Code: ❂</p>
<p>Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using HTML Code: ❂</p>
<p id="point">Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: ❂</p>
</body>
</html>
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using Hex Code: ❂
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using HTML Code: ❂
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star using CSS Entity: ❂
Typed directly: ❂
How It Works
1. Hex:U+2742 → ❂ in HTML. The browser turns it into ❂.
2. Decimal: same code point as 10050 → ❂. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: use \2742 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ❂ after the paragraph text.
4. Typed ❂: fine in UTF-8 pages. All four lines show the same glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star entities.
Named?
No named entity
HTML5 does not define a named entity for U+2742. Use numeric forms.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2742 belongs in CSS. ❂ / ❂ belong in HTML.
❂ vs ★
Different characters
❂ is U+2742. Black star ★ is U+2605. Do not treat them as the same.
☆
Named ☆ is not ❂
☆ maps to ☆ (U+2606), not this Dingbats glyph.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ❂, not ❂.
Fonts
Dingbats coverage
Some fonts omit ❂. If missing, fall back to ★/☆ or an SVG star.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star (U+2742) and its numeric entity forms (❂, ❂, CSS \\2742) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Glyph shape depends on the font.
✓ Universal support
Circled Open Centre Eight Pointed Star (❂)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — or paste ❂ in UTF-8 HTML.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+2742 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Use ❂ or ❂ for this Dingbats glyph, and \\2742 only inside CSS content. Prefer ★/☆ for common rating stars.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: circled open centre eight pointed star is U+2742 (decimal 10050).
HTML: use ❂ or ❂ when you need an entity.
One line:U+2742 → ❂ / ❂ / CSS \2742, or paste ❂.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ❂ (hex), ❂ (decimal), or the CSS escape \2742 in the content property. All render ❂. You can also paste ❂ directly when your file is UTF-8.
U+2742 (hex 2742, decimal 10050). Unicode names it CIRCLED OPEN CENTRE EIGHT POINTED STAR. It belongs to the Dingbats block.
No. HTML5 does not define a named entity for ❂. Use numeric references like ❂ or ❂.
❂ (U+2742) is an eight-pointed star with an open centre inside a circle. ★ (U+2605) is black star and ☆ (U+2606) is white star — common five-point styles without this circled Dingbats design.
HTML entities (❂ or ❂) go in markup. The CSS escape \2742 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ❂.
Use it for decorative bullets, badges, or design accents when you need this exact glyph. Prefer ★/☆ or SVG icons for common rating UI, and always pair symbols with accessible text when they carry meaning.
🤔
Did you know?
Circled open centre eight pointed star is Unicode U+2742 (decimal 10050) — official name CIRCLED OPEN CENTRE EIGHT POINTED STAR in the Dingbats block. HTML5 has no named entity. It is a decorative star and is not black star (U+2605 ★) or white star (U+2606 ☆).
