Combining cross below (U+0353), also called combining X below, is a combining mark in the Combining Diacritical Marks block. It does not stand alone like a normal letter — it stacks an X-shaped mark below the character that comes before it. Example: a + ͓ renders as a͓.
Remember
Character combining cross below / X below (after a base)
Unicode U+0353
Hex entity ͓
Decimal ͓
CSS escape \0353
Named entity (none for U+0353)
Example a͓ → a͓
Not the same x U+0078 · above U+033D
Prefer a precomposed character when one exists for the combination you need. Use U+0353 when composing marks dynamically, for NFD text, or bases without a precomposed form.
Cross below using Hex Code: a͓
Cross below using HTML Code: a͓
Cross below using CSS Entity: a͓
Typed directly: a͓
How It Works
1. Hex: write the base letter, then ͓ → a͓ becomes a͓.
2. Decimal: same mark as 851 → a͓. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: put base + escape in one string: content: "a\0353". #point::after appends that sequence after the paragraph text.
4. Typed: in UTF-8 you can type a then the combining cross below. Order must stay base first, mark second.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with combining cross below.
Order
Base letter first
Write a͓, never put U+0353 before the letter you want to accent.
Named?
No named entity for U+0353
Use numeric forms. Typing x alone is a different character (U+0078).
Below vs above
Not cross above
U+0353 is below. U+033D is combining X above. Pick the position you need.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0353 belongs in CSS strings. ͓ / ͓ belong in HTML.
Fonts
Combining support varies
Some fonts stack poorly. If layout looks wrong, try a font with strong Combining Diacritical Marks coverage.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ͓, not ͓.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Combining cross below (U+0353) and its numeric entity forms (͓, ͓, CSS \\0353) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Stacking quality depends on font support for combining marks.
✓ Universal support
Cross Below (U+0353)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape after a base letter — same combining mark everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+0353 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer a precomposed character when you can. Use ͓ or ͓ after a base letter when you need the combining mark, and \\0353 only inside CSS content strings.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: combining cross below is U+0353 (decimal 851).
HTML: base first, then ͓ or ͓ (e.g. a͓).
CSS: use "a\0353" (or another base) inside content.
Watch out: U+0353 ≠ x ≠ U+033D (combining below ≠ letter ≠ above).
One line:U+0353 → after a base letter as ͓ / ͓ / CSS \0353.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place ͓ (hex) or ͓ (decimal) immediately after a base letter — for example a͓. In CSS, use content: "a\0353". There is no named HTML entity for U+0353.
U+0353 (hex 0353, decimal 851). It belongs to the Combining Diacritical Marks block and stacks an X-shaped mark below the preceding base character.
No. Use numeric references like ͓ or ͓. Do not confuse it with the letter x (U+0078) or cross above (U+033D).
Use it in linguistic, phonetic, or transliteration text that needs an X-shaped mark under a letter. Prefer a precomposed character when one exists for the combination you need.
HTML entities (͓ or ͓) go in markup after the base letter. The CSS escape \0353 goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after), typically as "a\0353".
U+0353 is a combining mark below the base. x (U+0078) is a spacing letter. U+033D is combining X above — over the letter instead of under.
🤔
Did you know?
Combining cross below (combining X below) is Unicode U+0353 (decimal 851). It is a combining mark — place it after a base letter (e.g. a͓ → a͓). HTML5 has no named entity. It is not the letter x (U+0078) and not cross above (U+033D).
