HTML Entity for Fraction 1 By 2 (½)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Fraction 1 By 2 symbol (½) in HTML using named, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+00BD (VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF) in the Latin-1 Supplement block (U+0080–U+00FF)—a vulgar fraction representing 1⁄2 (one half).
Render it with the named entity ½, ½, ½, or CSS escape \00BD. Do not confuse ½ with fraction one over anything (⅟, U+215F), one third (⅓, U+2153), or plain text 1/2.
⚡ Quick Reference — Fraction 1 By 2
U+00BDLatin-1 Supplement
½Hexadecimal reference
½Decimal reference
½One half (most readable)
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+00BD
Hex code ½
HTML code ½
Named entity ½
CSS code \00BD
Meaning Vulgar fraction one half (1/2)
Related U+215F = Fraction one (⅟); U+2153 = One third (⅓)Complete HTML Example
This example demonstrates the Fraction 1 By 2 symbol (½) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\00BD";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Fraction 1 By 2 using Hexadecimal: ½</p>
<p>Fraction 1 By 2 using HTML Code: ½</p>
<p>Fraction 1 By 2 using HTML Entity: ½</p>
<p id="point">Fraction 1 By 2 using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Fraction 1 By 2 (½) is widely supported in modern browsers with any standard font:
👀 Live Preview
See the Fraction 1 By 2 symbol (½) in recipes, math, and measurements:
🧠 How It Works
Named Entity
½ is the HTML named entity for one half—often preferred in readable recipe and math markup.
Hexadecimal Code
½ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 00BD. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
½ uses the decimal Unicode value 189 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\00BD is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All four methods produce: ½. Unicode U+00BD in Latin-1 Supplement. For Number Forms fractions, see one third (⅓).
Use Cases
The Fraction 1 By 2 symbol (½) is commonly used in:
Cooking sites and measurements (e.g. ½ cup, ½ teaspoon).
Equations, fractions, and math content using one half.
Textbooks, tutorials, and lessons on fractions and ratios.
Statistics, scores, and displays showing half or 50%.
Legal, academic, or technical documents with vulgar fractions.
HTML entity lists, Unicode charts, and character references.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
½for readable HTML in recipes and math - Pair with units (e.g. ½ cup) for clear measurements
- Latin-1 Supplement (U+00BD) is widely supported in standard fonts
- Add
aria-label(e.g. “one half”) for accessibility - Serve pages with UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">)
Don’t
- Confuse ½ (one half) with ⅟ (fraction one, U+215F)
- Confuse ½ (1⁄2) with ⅓ (one third, U+2153)
- Put CSS escape
\00BDin HTML text nodes - Mix entity styles randomly in one file
- Use
1/2when typographic ½ is required for consistency
Key Takeaways
Three HTML references plus CSS all render ½
½ ½ ½For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\00BDUnicode U+00BD — vulgar fraction one half
½ is the standard named entity
Next: Fraction 1 By 3 (⅓, U+2153)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
½ (named), ½ (hex), ½ (decimal), or \00BD in CSS content. All produce ½.U+00BD (VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF). Latin-1 Supplement block (U+0080–U+00FF). Hex 00BD, decimal 189. Represents the vulgar fraction one half (½).½ is the named HTML entity for U+00BD (½). You can also use ½ (decimal) or ½ (hexadecimal). All render the same symbol.½, ½, or ½) go directly in markup. The CSS escape \00BD is used in stylesheets, typically in the content property of pseudo-elements. Same visual result, different layers of the stack.Explore More HTML Entities!
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