The Ij ligature (ij) is the Latin Extended-A character at Unicode U+0133 (LATIN SMALL LIGATURE IJ). It represents the Dutch and Afrikaans ij digraph as one glyph.
Remember
Character ij
Unicode U+0133
Hex entity ij
Decimal ij
Named entity ij
CSS escape \0133
All of these produce the same glyph: ij. Prefer ij in HTML source for clarity; use hex/decimal when generating entities, and CSS \0133 only in content.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Named entity
ij
HTML markup (best default)
Hex entity
ij
HTML markup
Decimal entity
ij
HTML markup
CSS escape
\0133
Stylesheet content
Direct character
ij
UTF-8 HTML text
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
Readable Dutch / Afrikaans HTML source
ij
Need a numeric entity in HTML
ij or ij
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\0133"
UTF-8 page, typing is easy
Type ij directly
Capital ligature (IJ)
IJ / U+0132 — different character
See it
Live Preview
Ij ligature rendered in common UI contexts.
Inline textHet is bijna klaar.
Large glyphij
Dutch wordsbijna, gelijk, ijzer
Named entityij → ij
With entitiesHex: ij | Decimal: ij | Named: ij
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows the Ij ligature with the hex entity, decimal entity, named entity, and CSS escape. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + Named + CSS
All four ways to produce ij in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Ij Ligature (ij) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\0133";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Ij using Hex Code: ij</p>
<p>Ij using HTML Code: ij</p>
<p>Ij using Named Entity: ij</p>
<p id="point">Ij using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>
Ij using Hex Code: ij
Ij using HTML Code: ij
Ij using Named Entity: ij
Ij using CSS Entity: ij
How It Works
1. Hex:U+0133 → ij in HTML. The browser turns it into ij.
2. Decimal: same code point as 307 → ij. Same result as hex.
3. Named:ij is the HTML5 name for this character — easiest to read in source.
4. CSS: use \0133 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ij after the paragraph text.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with the Ij ligature.
Named
Prefer ij
Named form is clearer than numeric codes in hand-written HTML.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0133 belongs in CSS. ij / ij / ij belong in HTML.
ij vs ij
One character vs two
ij is a single code point. Separate i+j are two letters — not the same in Unicode.
Case
Capital is different
IJ is U+0132 (IJ). Dutch titles often use IJ (two letters), e.g. IJsselmeer.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ij, not &ijlig.
Fonts
Latin Extended-A
Use fonts that include U+0133 (e.g. Segoe UI, Noto Sans, Arial) so the glyph is not missing.
Compatibility
Browser Support
The Ij ligature (U+0133) and its entity forms (ij, ij, ij, CSS \\0133) are supported in all mainstream browsers when the font includes Latin Extended-A.
✓ Universal support
Ij Ligature (ij)
Use ij, or encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — same glyph everywhere fonts support it.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+0133 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ij in HTML for readability. Use ij or ij when encoding must be numeric, and \\0133 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: Ij ligature is U+0133 (decimal 307).
HTML: prefer ij, or use ij / ij.
CSS: use \0133 inside content for generated text.
Use case: Dutch and Afrikaans typography — one code point for the ij digraph.
Use ij (named), ij (hex), ij (decimal), or the CSS escape \0133 in the content property. All render the Ij ligature (ij).
U+0133 (LATIN SMALL LIGATURE IJ). Hex 0133, decimal 307. It belongs to the Latin Extended-A block.
Yes. ij is the named HTML5 entity for ij and is supported in all modern browsers.
Use it for Dutch and Afrikaans text, place names, dictionaries, and typography where the ij digraph is a single unit. Prefer ij for readable source, or numeric forms when generating markup.
HTML entities (ij, ij, or ij) go in markup. The CSS escape \0133 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render ij.
For most everyday Dutch text, typing i then j is common and fine. Use the ligature ij (U+0133) when you need the single Unicode character for typography, sorting, or language data.
🤔
Did you know?
The Ij ligature is Unicode U+0133 (decimal 307). HTML5 provides the named entity ij — prefer it for readable Dutch and Afrikaans markup, or use ij / ij.
