HTML Entity for Divides (∣)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Divides symbol (∣) in HTML using named, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS entity methods. This character is U+2223 (DIVIDES) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF) and means a divides b in mathematics (e.g. 3∣12).
Render it with the named entity ∣, ∣, ∣, or CSS escape \2223 in the content property. Do not confuse with the pipe character | (U+007C) or the division sign (÷).
⚡ Quick Reference — Divides
U+2223Mathematical Operators block
∣Hexadecimal reference
∣Decimal reference
∣Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2223
Hex code ∣
HTML code ∣
Named entity ∣
CSS code \2223Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the Divides symbol (∣) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape on a pseudo-element:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2223";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Divides using Hexadecimal: ∣</p>
<p>Divides using HTML Code: ∣</p>
<p>Divides using Named Entity: ∣</p>
<p id="point">Divides using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Divides entity is universally supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See the Divides symbol (∣) rendered live in mathematical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named Entity
∣ is the HTML named entity for the Divides symbol — easy to read in source and widely used for mathematical divisibility.
Hexadecimal Code
∣ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2223 to display the Divides symbol. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
∣ uses the decimal Unicode value 8739 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\2223 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce the Divides glyph: ∣. Unicode U+2223 sits in Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF). Not the same as | (U+007C).
Use Cases
The Divides symbol (∣) commonly appears in the following scenarios:
Express a∣b, prime factors, divisibility rules, and number-theoretic notation.
Polynomial division, group theory, and academic math on the web.
Online courses, tutorials, and quizzes teaching divisibility and factors.
Algorithm descriptions and articles with divides relations in formulas.
LaTeX-style or MathML pages needing ∣ instead of the ASCII pipe.
Mathematical Operators lists and HTML entity guides for science projects.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
∣for readable source markup - Pick one style (hex / decimal / named) per project
- Use fonts that cover Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
- Pair ∣ with text or MathML/ARIA for accessibility
- Use ∣ for divisibility, not the pipe
|
Don’t
- Confuse
∣(∣) with|(U+007C pipe) - Use divides where you mean division (÷)
- Use CSS escape
\2223inside HTML markup - Mix entity styles randomly in one file
- Assume every font renders ∣ identically to |
Key Takeaways
Three HTML references all render ∣
∣ ∣ ∣For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2223Unicode U+2223 means “a divides b” in Mathematical Operators
Prefer ∣ for readability in HTML source
Not interchangeable with | (pipe) or ÷ (division sign)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∣ (named), ∣ (hex), ∣ (decimal), or \2223 in CSS content. All produce ∣.U+2223 (hex 2223, decimal 8739) in the Mathematical Operators block. It denotes divisibility (e.g. 3∣12 means 3 divides 12).∣ (U+2223) is the mathematical divides symbol ∣. The pipe | is U+007C, used in programming or as a separator. Use ∣ for divisibility.∣) is a relation (“a divides b”). The division sign (÷) is an arithmetic operator for quotient. See Division for ÷.Explore More HTML Entities!
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