HTML Entity for Left Parenthesis (()
What You'll Learn
How to display the Left Parenthesis (() in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+0028 (LEFT PARENTHESIS) in the Basic Latin block (U+0000–U+007F)—the opening parenthesis used in equations, code, grouping, and everyday text.
Render it with (, (, or CSS \28, or type ( directly in most HTML. There is no named HTML entity. Related: U+0029 (), right parenthesis), U+005B ([, left bracket / [).
⚡ Quick Reference — Left Parenthesis
U+0028Basic Latin
(Hexadecimal reference
(Decimal reference
—Use numeric codes only
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+0028
Hex code (
HTML code (
Named entity (none)
CSS code \28
Meaning Opening parenthesis
Related U+0029 = right parenthesis ())
U+005B = left bracket ([)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Left Parenthesis (() using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape. There is no named HTML entity:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\28";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol using Hexadecimal: (</p>
<p>Symbol using HTML Code: (</p>
<p id="point">Symbol using CSS Entity: </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Left Parenthesis (() is universally supported in all modern browsers as a basic ASCII character:
👀 Live Preview
See the Left Parenthesis (() in math and technical contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
( uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 28 for the left parenthesis. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
( uses the decimal Unicode value 40 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\28 is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::after.
Same visual result
All three methods produce (. Unicode U+0028 is in Basic Latin. Previous: Left Paired Arrows.
Use Cases
The Left Parenthesis (() is commonly used in:
Group terms in formulas, function arguments, and interval notation.
Show function calls, conditions, and expressions in programming tutorials.
Document syntax where parentheses are part of the literal text.
Encode ( in attributes or generated markup when escaping is required.
Teach numeric entity usage for basic ASCII punctuation.
Clarifications, asides, and parenthetical phrases in prose.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Type
(directly in normal HTML body text when escaping is not needed - Use
(or(when escaping in attributes or generated content - Set
<meta charset="utf-8"> - Keep one numeric style (hex or decimal) per project when using entities
- Pair with
)(U+0029) for balanced parentheses
Don’t
- Expect a named HTML entity for U+0028
- Use CSS
\28inside HTML text nodes - Confuse ( (parenthesis) with [ (left bracket) or { (left brace)
- Over-escape ( in plain body text where a literal character is fine
- Mix hex and decimal entity styles inconsistently in the same component
Key Takeaways
Two HTML numeric references plus CSS for U+0028
( (For CSS, use \28 in the content property
Unicode U+0028 — LEFT PARENTHESIS
Basic Latin block (U+0000–U+007F) — no named entity
Previous: Left Paired Arrows (⇇) Next: Left Right Arrow
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
( (hex), ( (decimal), or \28 in CSS content. There is no named entity. All three methods render ( correctly.U+0028 (LEFT PARENTHESIS). Basic Latin block (U+0000–U+007F). Hex 28, decimal 40.( or () go in markup. The CSS escape \28 is used in stylesheets, typically on ::before or ::after. Both produce (.( directly in HTML, or use numeric codes: hexadecimal (() or decimal ((). In CSS, use \28 in the content property.Explore More HTML Entities!
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