HTML Entity for Lowercase C Reverse / Open O (ɔ)

Beginner
⏱️ 5 min read
📚 Updated: Jun 2026
🎯 1 Code Example
Unicode U+0254

What You'll Learn

How to display the Latin small letter open o (ɔ), also called the lowercase c reverse, in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) it represents the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔ/, and it is widely used in African language orthographies. It is U+0254 in the IPA Extensions block.

Render it with ɔ, ɔ, or CSS escape \0254. There is no named HTML entity for this character, so numeric codes or CSS must be used.

⚡ Quick Reference — Lowercase C Reverse / Open O

Unicode U+0254

IPA Extensions

Hex Code ɔ

Hexadecimal reference

HTML Code ɔ

Decimal reference

Named Entity

No named entity

Reference Table
Name           Value
────────────   ──────────
Unicode        U+0254
Hex code       ɔ
HTML code      ɔ
Named entity   (none)
CSS code       \0254
Official name  Latin small letter open o
Also known as  Lowercase c reverse
IPA usage      Open-mid back rounded vowel
Block          IPA Extensions (U+0250–U+02AF)
1

Complete HTML Example

A simple example showing the open o / c reverse (ɔ) using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:

html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <style>
  #point:after{
   content: "\0254";
  }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol (hex): &#x0254;</p>
<p>Symbol (decimal): &#596;</p>
<p id="point">Symbol (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself

🌐 Browser Support

The open o / c reverse (ɔ) renders correctly in modern browsers when UTF-8 is used and a font with IPA Extensions support is available:

Chrome1+
Firefox1+
Safari1+
Edge12+
Opera4+
Android4.4+
iOS Safari1+

👀 Live Preview

See the open o / c reverse (ɔ) and how it differs from related characters:

Large glyphɔ
IPA meaningOpen-mid back rounded vowel /ɔ/
Official nameLatin small letter open o (turned c shape)
Not the same asc (plain c) or o (U+006F)
Numeric refs&#x0254; &#596; \0254

🧠 How It Works

1

Hexadecimal Code

&#x0254; uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 0254 to display the character. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.

HTML markup
2

Decimal HTML Code

&#596; uses the decimal Unicode value 596 to display the same character. A common method for IPA Extensions characters.

HTML markup
3

CSS Entity

\0254 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.

CSS stylesheet
=

Same visual result

All three methods produce the glyph: ɔ. Unicode U+0254 sits in IPA Extensions. Typographically a turned “c”, it is officially the open o—not plain c (U+0063). There is no named HTML entity.

Use Cases

The open o / c reverse (ɔ) is commonly used in:

🔤 IPA transcription

Represent the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔ in International Phonetic Alphabet notation.

🌍 African orthographies

Correct spelling in languages that use the African reference alphabet and include ɔ.

📖 Dictionaries

Phonetic transcriptions and pronunciation keys in dictionaries and language resources.

📚 Language learning

Language courses, textbooks, and pronunciation apps with correct IPA symbols.

🎨 Typography

Showcase IPA Extensions coverage in font demos and type design.

📄 Academic research

Ensure correct IPA and orthographic symbols in linguistics papers and publications.

🌐 Internationalization

Support proper rendering for African and other languages that use the open o character.

💡 Best Practices

Do

  • Use &#596; or &#x0254; in HTML (no named entity exists)
  • Serve pages as UTF-8; you can also type ɔ directly in UTF-8 source
  • Use IPA-aware or Unicode-complete fonts for reliable glyph rendering
  • Provide IPA context when using phonetic symbols
  • Distinguish ɔ (open o) from plain c and from o

Don’t

  • Assume a named entity exists—there is none for ɔ
  • Substitute plain c or o when ɔ is required
  • Put CSS escape \0254 in HTML text nodes
  • Assume all fonts render IPA Extensions glyphs identically
  • Mix entity styles randomly in one file

Key Takeaways

1

Three references render ɔ (no named entity)

&#x0254; &#596;
2

For CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property

\0254
3

Unicode U+0254 — LATIN SMALL LETTER OPEN O

4

IPA /ɔ/ vowel; also called lowercase c reverse

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Use &#x0254; (hex), &#596; (decimal), or \0254 in CSS content. There is no named HTML entity for this character, so numeric codes or CSS must be used.
U+0254 (LATIN SMALL LETTER OPEN O). IPA Extensions block. Hex 0254, decimal 596. Represents the open-mid back rounded vowel in IPA and is used in many African language orthographies.
For IPA phonetic transcription, African language content, linguistic resources, dictionary and pronunciation guides, language learning materials, and any text requiring the open o / reversed c symbol.
HTML code (&#596; or &#x0254;) is used in HTML content. The CSS entity (\0254) is used in CSS, e.g. in the content property of pseudo-elements. Both produce ɔ but in different contexts.
No. There is no named HTML entity for ɔ. Use &#596; or &#x0254; in HTML, or \0254 in CSS. This is standard for IPA Extensions characters.

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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.

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