Low Line is the combining mark at Unicode U+0332 (COMBINING LOW LINE). It draws a horizontal line under the preceding character — a per-letter underline, not a standalone underscore.
Remember
Mark combining low line
Unicode U+0332
Hex entity ̲
Decimal ̲
Named entity (none)
CSS escape \0332
Order base + mark → a̲
Combining marks are not standalone letters. Write the base character first, then the entity (e.g. a̲ → a̲). For underlined words in UI copy, prefer <u> or CSS underline.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Hex entity
̲
HTML after the base character
Decimal entity
̲
HTML after the base character
Named entity
None
HTML5 does not define one for U+0332
CSS escape
\0332
Stylesheet content (often ::after)
Direct character
base + U+0332
UTF-8 HTML text
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
Readable numeric entity in HTML
base̲
Decimal entity required
base̲
Generated underline via ::after
content: "\0332" on an element that ends with the base
Whole-word underline in a page
<u>text</u> or CSS text-decoration: underline
Standalone underscore character
Type _ or use _ (U+005F) — different character
See it
Live Preview
Low Line combined with base letters (font-dependent).
Single lettera̲
Word sampleu̲n̲d̲e̲r̲
Large sampleA̲
vs underscoreCombining: a̲ | Underscore: _
With entitiesa̲ | a̲
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows this combining mark with hex, decimal, and CSS after a base character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS
Three ways to attach U+0332 to a base (no named entity).
Using Hex Code: a̲
Using HTML Code: a̲
Using CSS Entity: a̲
Word: u̲n̲d̲e̲r̲
How It Works
1. Hex:U+0332 → ̲ after the base. The browser combines them into a̲.
2. Decimal: same code point as 818 → ̲. Same result as hex.
3. Named: HTML5 does not define a named entity for this mark — use hex or decimal instead. (_ is underscore U+005F, not U+0332.)
4. CSS: use \0332 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends the underline under the trailing a.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Low Line.
Order
Base character first
Write a̲, not ̲a. Combining marks follow the base.
Look-alikes
Not _ or _
Underscore is U+005F. Combining Low Line (U+0332) underlines the previous letter.
Words
One mark per letter
A single overlay does not underline a whole word. Apply the mark after each letter, or use <u> / CSS instead.
Named
No named form for U+0332
Do not invent a name. Use ̲ or ̲.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0332 belongs in CSS. ̲ / ̲ belong in HTML.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ̲, not ̲.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Low Line (U+0332) and its entity forms (̲, ̲, CSS \\0332) are supported in all modern browsers. Underline alignment depends on the font.
✓ Universal encoding
Low Line (U+0332)
Encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — attach after the base for a combining underline. No named entity.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerIE 9+
Yes*
U+0332Full support
Bottom line: Prefer base̲ for readable HTML. Use \\0332 only inside CSS content. Prefer <u> or CSS for whole-word underlines.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: this combining mark is U+0332 (decimal 818).
HTML: prefer base̲ — or use base̲. No named entity.
CSS: use \0332 inside content for generated underlines.
Watch out: base first; not _/_; prefer <u> for whole-word underlines.
One line:U+0332 → base̲ / base̲ / CSS \0332 (no named entity).
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ̲ (hex), ̲ (decimal), or the CSS escape \0332 in the content property. Place the mark immediately after the base character (e.g. a̲). There is no named HTML entity.
U+0332 (COMBINING LOW LINE). Hex 0332, decimal 818. It belongs to the Combining Diacritical Marks block (U+0300–U+036F).
No. HTML5 does not define a named entity for U+0332. Use numeric references like ̲ or ̲. Note: _ is underscore (U+005F), not this combining mark.
Use it for per-character underlining in linguistics, paleography, or editorial samples. For everyday underlined text, prefer the HTML u element or CSS text-decoration: underline.
HTML entities (̲ or ̲) go in markup after the base. The CSS escape \0332 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::after). Both apply the same combining underline.
No. Underscore _ is U+005F (also _), a standalone spacing character. Combining Low Line (U+0332) sits under the preceding base letter and is not typed alone as a blank.
🤔
Did you know?
Low Line is Unicode U+0332 (decimal 818) — COMBINING LOW LINE in Combining Diacritical Marks. HTML5 has no named entity. Place it after each base letter (e.g. a̲ → a̲). It is not the same as underscore _ (U+005F) or _. For everyday underlining, prefer <u> or CSS text-decoration: underline.
