HTML Entity for Kelvin Sign (K)

Beginner
⏱️ 5 min read
📚 Updated: Jun 2026
🎯 1 Code Example
Unicode U+212A
HTML entity for Kelvin sign (U+212A) — hex, decimal, and CSS tutorial

What You'll Learn

How to display the Kelvin sign (K) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. The symbol is the SI unit for thermodynamic temperature (Kelvin, K).

It is U+212A (KELVIN SIGN) in the Letterlike Symbols block (U+2100–U+214F). Use K, K, or CSS \212A. There is no named HTML entity for this character.

⚡ Quick Reference — Kelvin Sign

Unicode U+212A

Letterlike Symbols

Hex Code K

Hexadecimal reference

HTML Code K

Decimal reference

Named Entity —

Use numeric codes only

Reference Table
Name           Value
────────────   ──────────
Unicode        U+212A
Hex code       K
HTML code      K
Named entity   (none)
CSS code       \212A
Meaning        SI temperature unit (K)
Glyph          K
Example        273.15 K (absolute zero)
1

Complete HTML Example

This example shows the Kelvin sign (U+212A) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape. This character has no named HTML entity:

html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <style>
  #point:after{
   content: "\212A";
  }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Kelvin Sign using Hexadecimal: &#x212A;</p>
<p>Kelvin Sign using Decimal: &#8490;</p>
<p id="point">Kelvin Sign using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

🌐 Browser Support

The Kelvin sign (K) is widely supported when fonts include Letterlike Symbols (U+2100–U+214F):

Chrome 1+
Firefox 1+
Safari 1+
Edge 12+
Opera 4+
Android 4.4+
iOS Safari 1+

👀 Live Preview

See the Kelvin sign (K) in scientific and temperature contexts:

Temperature 273.15 K
SI units Thermodynamic temperature: K
Large glyph K
Named entity (none) — use numeric codes
Numeric refs &#x212A; &#8490; \212A

🧠 How It Works

1

Hexadecimal Code

&#x212A; uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 212A to display the Kelvin sign (K).

HTML markup
2

Decimal HTML Code

&#8490; uses the decimal Unicode value 8490 for the same character.

HTML markup
3

CSS Entity

\212A is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property, often on ::after following a base character in markup.

CSS stylesheet
4

No Named Entity

U+212A has no standard &...; named form. Use hex, decimal, or CSS escape only.

HTML markup
=

Same visual result

All three methods produce K (K). Unicode U+212A is in Letterlike Symbols. Next: Khmer Currency Symbol Riel.

✅

Use Cases

The Kelvin sign (K) is commonly used in:

🌡 Temperature & Science

Physics, chemistry, and thermodynamics content (e.g. 273.15 K, absolute zero).

📐 SI Units & Standards

Documentation that lists or explains SI base units, including Kelvin.

📚 Education

STEM tutorials and curricula covering temperature scales and unit symbols.

🔬 Lab & Research

Lab reports, dashboards, and research tools that display temperature in Kelvin.

🌤 Weather & Climate

Weather apps, climate data, or environmental content that uses Kelvin.

📋 Symbol reference

Character maps, unit pickers, and Unicode docs for letterlike symbols.

💡 Best Practices

Do

  • Use &#x212A; or &#8490; in HTML content
  • Use fonts that support Letterlike Symbols (U+212A)
  • Set <meta charset="utf-8">
  • Pick one numeric style per project
  • Add aria-label or nearby text (e.g. “Kelvin”) for accessibility

Don’t

  • Expect a named HTML entity for U+212A
  • Use CSS \212A inside HTML text nodes
  • Use fonts without Letterlike Symbols support
  • Mix entity styles randomly in one file

Key Takeaways

1

Two HTML numeric references plus CSS for U+212A

&#x212A; &#8490;
2

For CSS, use \212A in the content property

3

Unicode U+212A — KELVIN SIGN

4

Letterlike Symbols block; glyph K (K)

5

Previous: Jupiter (U+2643)   Next: Khmer Currency Symbol Riel

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Use &#x212A; (hex), &#8490; (decimal), or \212A in CSS content. There is no named entity. All methods render K (K) when the font supports U+212A.
U+212A (KELVIN SIGN). Letterlike Symbols block (U+2100–U+214F). Hex 212A, decimal 8490. SI unit symbol for thermodynamic temperature.
In scientific and physics content, temperature displays (e.g. 273.15 K), educational material on SI units, weather or lab applications, and any content referencing the Kelvin temperature scale.
HTML references (&#8490; or &#x212A;) go in markup. The CSS escape \212A is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both render K (K).
Named entities cover common characters; Letterlike Symbols like U+212A use numeric hex or decimal codes or CSS escapes. That is standard for many letterlike unit symbols.

Explore More HTML Entities!

Discover 1500+ HTML character references — SI and letterlike symbols, math, science, and more.

All HTML Entities →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

8 people found this page helpful

Jupiter (U+2643) Khmer Currency Symbol Riel