Dot minus (∸) is the Unicode character at U+2238 in the Mathematical Operators block. Official name: DOT MINUS. It is often called monus — a dotted form of minus used for saturating subtraction (a ∸ b ≈ max(a − b, 0)).
Remember
Character ∸
Unicode U+2238
Named entity ∸
Hex entity ∸
Decimal ∸
CSS escape \2238
Not the same − · - · ÷ · ∔
Prefer ∸ in HTML markup. You can also type ∸ in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed.
Dot minus rendered alone and in a monus-style expression.
Examplea ∸ b
Large glyph∸
Compared∸ − - ∔ ⋅
With entitiesNamed: ∸ | Hex: ∸ | Decimal: ∸
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows Dot Minus with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Named + Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed
Five ways to produce ∸, plus a monus example.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Dot Minus (∸) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\2238";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Dot Minus using Named Entity: ∸</p>
<p>Dot Minus using Hex Code: ∸</p>
<p>Dot Minus using HTML Code: ∸</p>
<p id="point">Dot Minus using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: ∸</p>
<p>Monus: a ∸ b</p>
</body>
</html>
Dot Minus using Named Entity: ∸
Dot Minus using Hex Code: ∸
Dot Minus using HTML Code: ∸
Dot Minus using CSS Entity: ∸
Typed directly: ∸
Monus: a ∸ b
How It Works
1. Named:∸ is the HTML5 name for U+2238 → ∸. Best default in markup.
2. Hex:U+2238 → ∸ in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8760 → ∸. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \2238 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ∸ after the paragraph text.
5. Typed / monus: paste ∸ in UTF-8, or write a ∸ b for monus notation.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Dot Minus.
−
Not ordinary minus
For everyday subtraction, prefer − (−, U+2212). Use ∸ when you specifically need the dotted monus form.
-
Not the ASCII hyphen
The keyboard - is U+002D. It is for text and code, not the mathematical operator ∸.
∔
Related: dot plus
∔ (∔) is the dotted plus counterpart — not the same character as ∸.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\2238 belongs in CSS strings. ∸ / ∸ / ∸ belong in HTML.
Fonts
Math font coverage
Some fonts omit U+2238. Prefer a font with Mathematical Operators coverage for display.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ∸, not &minusd.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Dot minus (U+2238) and its entity forms (∸, ∸, ∸, CSS \\2238) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Visible glyphs depend on math font coverage.
✓ Universal support
Dot Minus (∸)
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+2238 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ∸ in HTML. Use ∸ or ∸ when numeric form is required, and \\2238 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: dot minus is U+2238 (decimal 8760) — glyph ∸.
HTML: prefer ∸, or use ∸ / ∸ / type ∸.
CSS: use \2238 inside content for generated text.
Meaning:∸ = monus / dotted minus — not −, -, or ∔.
One line:U+2238 → ∸ / ∸ / ∸ / CSS \2238 / type ∸.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ∸ (named), ∸ (hex), ∸ (decimal), type ∸ directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \2238 in content. Prefer ∸ in normal HTML.
U+2238 (DOT MINUS). Hex 2238, decimal 8760. It belongs to the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF).
Yes. Use ∸. Numeric forms ∸ and ∸ also work.
Use it in math for monus / saturating subtraction (a ∸ b), or when a text needs the dotted-minus operator. Prefer − (−) for ordinary subtraction.
HTML entities (∸, ∸, or ∸) go in markup. The CSS escape \2238 goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).
No. ∸ is U+2238 (∸). − is U+2212 (−). The ASCII hyphen-minus is U+002D (-). They look related but are different characters.
🤔
Did you know?
Dot minus is Unicode U+2238 (decimal 8760) — glyph ∸ in the Mathematical Operators block. HTML5 names it ∸. It is often called monus (saturating subtraction): a ∸ b ≈ max(a − b, 0). Do not confuse it with − (−) or the ASCII hyphen.
