HTML Entity for Double Left-Pointing Angle Quotation Mark («)
Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Sep 2026
1 example
Unicode U+00AB
Definition
What Is Double Left-Pointing Angle Quotation Mark?
Double left-pointing angle quotation mark («) is the Unicode character at U+00AB in the Latin-1 Supplement block. Official name: LEFT-POINTING DOUBLE ANGLE QUOTATION MARK (also called a left guillemet). It opens angle-quoted text in French and many other languages (e.g. «Bonjour»).
Remember
Character «
Unicode U+00AB
Named entity «
Hex entity «
Decimal «
CSS escape \00AB
Close with » (»)
Prefer « in HTML markup. You can also type « in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed.
Using Named Entity: «
Using Hex Code: «
Using HTML Code: «
Using CSS Entity: «
Typed directly: «
French quote: «Bonjour»
How It Works
1. Named:« is the HTML5 name for U+00AB → «. Best default in markup.
2. Hex:U+00AB → « in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.
3. Decimal: same code point as 171 → «. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \00AB in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that « after the paragraph text.
5. Typed / quote: paste « in UTF-8, or write «Bonjour».
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Left Guillemets.
»
Pair with »
Open with « and close with » (») for standard French-style quotes.
“
Not English curly quotes
For English typography, prefer “ / ”. Guillemets are angle quotes.
‹
Not the single form
‹ (‹) is the single left-pointing angle quotation mark — not «.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\00AB belongs in CSS strings. « / « / « belong in HTML.
Locale
Direction can vary
Some languages swap opening/closing guillemets. Follow the locale’s typography rules.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write «, not «.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Left guillemet (U+00AB) and its entity forms («, «, «, CSS \\00AB) are supported in all mainstream browsers.
✓ Universal support
Double Left-Pointing Angle Quotation Mark («)
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+00AB / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer « in HTML. Use « or « when numeric form is required, and \\00AB only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: left guillemet is U+00AB (decimal 171) — glyph «.
HTML: prefer «, or use « / « / type «.
CSS: use \00AB inside content for generated text.
Meaning: opening angle quote — close with »; not “.
One line:U+00AB → « / « / « / CSS \00AB / type «.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use « (named), « or « (hex), « (decimal), type « directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \00AB in content. Prefer « in normal HTML.
U+00AB (LEFT-POINTING DOUBLE ANGLE QUOTATION MARK). Hex AB / 00AB, decimal 171. It belongs to Latin-1 Supplement.
Yes. Use «. Numeric forms « and « also work.
Use it as an opening angle quote (guillemet) in French, Russian, and other languages that use « ». Prefer “ for English curly opening quotes.
HTML entities («, «, or «) go in markup. The CSS escape \00AB goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).
No. « is « (U+00AB). “ is “ (U+201C). ‹ is ‹ (U+2039), the single left angle quote.
🤔
Did you know?
Double left-pointing angle quotation mark is Unicode U+00AB (decimal 171) — glyph «, often called a left guillemet. HTML5 names it «. Pair with » (») to close in French and many other languages. Do not confuse with curly quotes “ / ”.
