HTML Entity for Dot Minus (∸)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Dot Minus symbol (∸) in HTML using named, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS entity methods. This character is U+2238 (DOT MINUS) in the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF) and represents the monus (saturating subtraction) operator in mathematics.
Render it with ∸ (or ∸), ∸, ∸, or CSS escape \2238. Do not confuse with hyphen-minus (U+002D), combining dot above (U+0307), or arithmetic division (÷, ÷).
⚡ Quick Reference — Dot Minus
U+2238Mathematical Operators block
∸Hexadecimal reference
∸Decimal reference
∸Most readable option
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2238
Hex code ∸
HTML code ∸
Named entity ∸
CSS code \2238Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the Dot Minus 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: "\2238";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Dot Minus using Hexadecimal: ∸</p>
<p>Dot Minus using HTML Code: ∸</p>
<p>Dot Minus using Named Entity: ∸</p>
<p id="point">Dot Minus using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
U+2238 is supported in modern browsers; use a font with Mathematical Operators coverage for consistent glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Dot Minus symbol (∸) rendered live in mathematical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Named Entity
∸ is the HTML named entity for the Dot Minus symbol (∸ is also valid) — easy to read in source code.
Hexadecimal Code
∸ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2238 to display the Dot Minus symbol. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
∸ uses the decimal Unicode value 8760 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\2238 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 Dot Minus glyph: ∸. Unicode U+2238 (monus). Not hyphen-minus (U+002D) or combining dot above (U+0307).
Use Cases
The Dot Minus symbol (∸) commonly appears in the following scenarios:
Saturating subtraction and CMM (commutative monoids with monus) in formal math.
Math tutorials and e-learning on monus and natural-number arithmetic.
APIs and specs using dot-minus for saturating subtraction in algorithms.
Academic papers in mathematics or computer science with monus in formulas.
Unicode and HTML entity tables for Mathematical Operators.
Web equation editors showing ∸ alongside other operators.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
∸for readable HTML source - Use fonts that cover Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF)
- Pair ∸ with text or ARIA (“dot minus”) where helpful
- Pick one entity style per project for consistency
- Distinguish ∸ from ÷ (divide) and × (times)
Don’t
- Use ∸ when you mean arithmetic division (÷)
- Confuse ∸ with × (multiplication sign) or ⋅ (dot operator)
- Use CSS escape
\2238inside HTML markup - Mix hex, decimal, and named styles randomly in one file
- Forget UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">) in your document
Key Takeaways
Three HTML references all render ∸
∸ ∸ ∸For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2238Unicode U+2238 — DOT MINUS (monus operator)
Prefer ∸ or ∸ in HTML source
Next in sequence: Dot Operator
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
∸ (named), ∸ (hex), ∸ (decimal), or \2238 in CSS content. All produce ∸.U+2238 (DOT MINUS). Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF). Hex 2238, decimal 8760. Monus (saturating subtraction) operator.U+2238, ∸) is a specialized math operator. Division sign (÷, U+00F7, ÷) is the obelus for arithmetic (e.g. 12 ÷ 3 = 4).∸ and ∸ are both valid named HTML entities for U+2238 (∸). They render the same character in modern browsers.Explore More HTML Entities!
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