Dagger (†) is the Unicode character at U+2020 in the General Punctuation block. Official name: DAGGER. It is a common footnote and citation mark in print and on the web.
Remember
Character †
Unicode U+2020
Named entity †
Hex entity †
Decimal †
CSS escape \2020
Not the same ‡ U+2021 (‡)
Prefer † in HTML markup. You can also type † in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed.
Dagger using Named Entity: †
Dagger using Hex Code: †
Dagger using HTML Code: †
Dagger using CSS Entity: †
Typed directly: †
How It Works
1. Named:† is the HTML5 name for U+2020 → †. Best default in markup.
2. Hex:U+2020 → † in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8224 → †. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \2020 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that † after the paragraph text.
5. Typed: in a UTF-8 page you can paste † directly. All five lines show the same glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Dagger.
Case
dagger vs Dagger
† is single dagger (†). ‡ is double dagger (‡). Names are case-sensitive.
‡
Not double dagger
‡ is a different character (U+2021). Use it for a second footnote level, not as a substitute for †.
Meaning
Define the mark
Pair body markers with a matching note (e.g. † See sources) so readers know what the dagger refers to.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2020 belongs in CSS strings. † / † / † belong in HTML.
Access
Prefer real notes when possible
For complex documents, consider <sup> with linked footnotes or native list semantics — a lone glyph may be unclear to screen readers.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write †, not &dagger.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Dagger (U+2020) and its entity forms (†, †, †, CSS \\2020) are supported in all mainstream browsers.
✓ Universal support
Dagger (†)
Encode with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, or type the character — same code point 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+2020 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer † in HTML. Use † or † when numeric form is required, and \\2020 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: dagger is U+2020 (decimal 8224) — glyph †.
HTML: prefer †, or use † / † / type †.
CSS: use \2020 inside content for generated text.
Watch out:† (†) ≠ ‡ (‡).
One line:U+2020 → † / † / † / CSS \2020 / type †.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use † (named), † (hex), † (decimal), type † directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \2020 in content. Prefer † in normal HTML.
U+2020 (DAGGER). Hex 2020, decimal 8224. It belongs to the General Punctuation block.
Yes. Use † — the preferred form in HTML markup. Numeric forms † and † also work.
Use it for footnotes, citations, editorial notes, and reference marks when a single dagger is the first footnote marker (often before double dagger for a second note).
HTML entities (†, †, or †) go in markup. The CSS escape \2020 goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).
† (U+2020 / †) is a single dagger. ‡ (U+2021 / ‡) is a double dagger, often used for a second footnote level.
🤔
Did you know?
Dagger is Unicode U+2020 (decimal 8224) — glyph † in the General Punctuation block. HTML5 names it †. It marks footnotes and citations. It is not double dagger ‡ (U+2021 / ‡) and not a plus sign or Latin cross.
