HTML Entity for Long S (ſ)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Long S (ſ) character in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+017F (LATIN SMALL LETTER LONG S) in the Latin Extended-A block (U+0100–U+017F).
Render it with ſ, ſ, or CSS escape \017F. There is no named HTML entity. The long s is a historical form of the letter “s” used in early modern typography (e.g. in English and German printing before the 19th century). For another Latin Extended-A ligature, see Ij (ij, ij).
⚡ Quick Reference — Long S
U+017FLatin Extended-A
ſHexadecimal reference
ſDecimal reference
—No named entity
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+017F
Hex code ſ
HTML code ſ
Named entity (none)
CSS code \017F
Meaning Latin small letter long s
Related U+0073 = s (modern lowercase s)
Block Latin Extended-A (U+0100–U+017F)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the Long S (ſ) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\017F";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol (hex): ſ</p>
<p>Symbol (decimal): ſ</p>
<p id="point">Symbol (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Long S (ſ) is supported in modern browsers when the font includes Latin Extended-A glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the Long S (ſ) in historical and typography contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
ſ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 017F to display the long s character.
Decimal HTML Code
ſ uses the decimal Unicode value 383 to display the same character.
CSS Entity
\017F is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements.
Same visual result
All three methods produce the glyph: ſ. Unicode U+017F is in Latin Extended-A. There is no named HTML entity. Previous: Long Right Squiggle Arrow.
Use Cases
The Long S (ſ) is commonly used in:
Reproduce early modern books, pamphlets, and documents with period-accurate spelling.
Include the long s in historical or decorative typefaces and font specimens.
Use in critical editions, facsimiles, and scholarly transcriptions of old texts.
Reference the long s in language history, orthography, and manuscript studies.
Add period flavor to websites, signage, or branding referencing the 18th century or earlier.
Explain historical orthography and the evolution of the letter “s” in tutorials.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use a font that supports Latin Extended-A (U+017F) so ſ renders correctly
- Use numeric references (
ſorſ) consistently in HTML - Follow period-appropriate rules for where long s appears (often not at word end)
- Use
\017Fin CSScontentwhen inserting via pseudo-elements - Serve pages with UTF-8 (
<meta charset="utf-8">)
Don’t
- Confuse ſ (long s) with the modern lowercase letter s
- Put CSS escape
\017Fin HTML text nodes - Assume screen readers distinguish long s from s—add context if it matters
- Expect a named HTML entity—only numeric codes work for ſ
- Use decorative long s where historical accuracy is not intended without explanation
Key Takeaways
Three references render ſ (no named entity)
ſ ſFor CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\017FUnicode U+017F — LATIN SMALL LETTER LONG S
Historical typography character; differs from modern lowercase s
Previous: Long Right Squiggle Arrow Next: HTML Entities
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
ſ (hex), ſ (decimal), or \017F in CSS content. All produce ſ. There is no named HTML entity.U+017F (LATIN SMALL LETTER LONG S). Latin Extended-A block. Hex 017F, decimal 383. The Long S was used in historical typography in early modern English and German printing.ſ or ſ) is used in HTML content. The CSS entity (\017F) is used in CSS, e.g. in the content property of ::before or ::after. Both produce ſ but in different contexts.Explore More HTML Entities!
Discover 1500+ HTML character references — letters, symbols, and more.
About the author
8 people found this page helpful