HTML Entity for Colon Equals (≔)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Colon Equals (≔) symbol in HTML using numeric references, the named entity, and CSS escapes. This character is U+2254 (COLON EQUALS) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF). It denotes definition or assignment-by-definition in mathematics, logic, and documentation.
You can use the named entity ≔, hex ≔, decimal ≔, or CSS \2254. Do not confuse ≔ with Equals Colon U+2255 (≕), the plain colon U+003A (:), or the two-character sequence := in source code.
⚡ Quick Reference — Colon Equals
U+2254Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
≔Hexadecimal reference
≔Decimal reference
≔Standard HTML entity
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2254
Hex code ≔
HTML code ≔
Named entity ≔
CSS code \2254Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the Colon Equals (≔) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity ≔, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2254";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Colon Equals using Hexa Decimal: ≔</p>
<p>Colon Equals using HTML Code: ≔</p>
<p>Colon Equals using HTML Entity: ≔</p>
<p id="point">Colon Equals using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
U+2254 is supported in modern browsers; math fonts improve glyph quality:
👀 Live Preview
See the Colon Equals symbol in mathematical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
≔ references code point U+2254 using hex digits 2254.
Decimal HTML Code
≔ is the decimal equivalent (8788) for the same character.
Named HTML Entity
≔ is the standard named entity for U+2254—short for “colon equals.”
CSS Entity
\2254 is the CSS escape for U+2254, used in the content property of ::before or ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce the Colon Equals glyph: ≔. Unicode U+2254 sits in Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF).
Use Cases
The Colon Equals symbol (≔) commonly appears in:
Definitions and assignment-by-definition in equations and proofs (e.g. x ≔ 5).
Programming documentation and language specs using Pascal-style definition notation.
Formal specification and logic texts where ≔ means “is defined as.”
Math and computer science tutorials, courses, and reference pages.
API documentation, specification wikis, and notation guides.
Unicode tables and Mathematical Operators glossaries.
Pair with MathML or alt text (e.g. “is defined as”) for screen readers.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Prefer
≔for readable HTML when writing definitions by hand - Use math-oriented fonts (Cambria Math, STIX, Noto Sans Math) for clearer glyphs
- Keep entity style consistent within a document
- Use
\2254only inside CSScontent, not in HTML text nodes - Consider MathML or KaTeX/MathJax for complex multi-line equations
Don’t
- Confuse U+2254 (≔) with U+2255 equals colon (≕) or plain colon (:)
- Use U+02254 notation—the correct code point is U+2254
- Substitute the two-character
:=when a single definition glyph is intended - Assume every assignment operator is interchangeable in formal notation
- Mix entity styles randomly in one file
Key Takeaways
Named entity is the easiest option
≔Numeric references also render ≔
≔ ≔For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2254U+2254 COLON EQUALS
Four methods, one glyph — widely supported in modern browsers
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
≔ (named entity), ≔ (hex), ≔ (decimal), or \2254 in CSS content. All produce ≔.U+2254 (COLON EQUALS). Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 2254, decimal 8788.≔, ≔, or ≔) go directly in markup. The CSS escape \2254 is used in stylesheets, typically in the content property of pseudo-elements.≔ is the named entity for U+2254. Equals Colon is a different character: U+2255 (≕).Explore More HTML Entities!
Discover 1500+ HTML character references — math operators, symbols, arrows, and more.
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