Lowercase l is the Basic Latin character at Unicode U+006C (LATIN SMALL LETTER L). You can type l directly in HTML, or write it with a numeric character reference when you need an explicit entity form.
Remember
Character l
Unicode U+006C
Hex entity l
Decimal l
CSS escape \006C
Named entity (none)
All of these produce the same glyph: l. Prefer typing l in normal page text; use entities for CSS content, generated markup, or when encoding must be explicit.
Reference
Quick Reference
One table for every form you will actually use.
Form
Code
Where it goes
Direct character
l
HTML text (default choice)
Hex entity
l
HTML markup
Decimal entity
l
HTML markup
CSS escape
\006C
Stylesheet content
Named entity
—
Not defined in HTML5
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
Normal paragraphs, headings, labels
Type l
Need an entity in HTML source
l or l
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\006C"
Looking for &l;
Does not exist — use numeric form (do not confuse with <)
L with acute (ĺ)
Different character — see Related Topics
See it
Live Preview
Lowercase l rendered in common UI contexts.
Inline textThe letter l appears in words like list and label.
Large glyphl
Alphabetj k l m n
Monospacelet list = [];
With entitiesHex: l | Decimal: l
Not the sameĺ (l acute) · < (<)
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows lowercase l with the hex entity, decimal entity, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed
All four ways to produce l in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Lowercase L (l) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\006C";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Lowercase L using Hex Code: l</p>
<p>Lowercase L using HTML Code: l</p>
<p id="point">Lowercase L using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: l</p>
</body>
</html>
Lowercase L using Hex Code: l
Lowercase L using HTML Code: l
Lowercase L using CSS Entity: l
Typed directly: l
How It Works
1. Hex:U+006C → l in HTML. The browser turns it into l.
2. Decimal: same code point as 108 → l. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: use \006C in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that l after the paragraph text.
4. Typed l: best for normal text. All four lines show the same letter.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with the lowercase l entity.
Named?
No &l;
HTML5 does not define a named entity for ASCII letters. Use numeric forms. Do not confuse with < (less-than).
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\006C belongs in CSS. l / l belong in HTML.
Look-alikes
l vs I vs 1
In some fonts, lowercase l, capital I, and digit 1 look similar. Prefer fonts that distinguish them when clarity matters.
Default
Type l when you can
Entities are for encoding needs — not required for ordinary body text.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write l, not l.
Case
l vs L
Uppercase L is U+004C — a different code point from U+006C.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Lowercase l (U+006C) and its numeric entity forms (l, l, CSS \\006C) are supported in all mainstream browsers.
✓ Universal support
Lowercase L (l)
Type l, or encode with hex, decimal, or CSS escape — same glyph everywhere.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+006C / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Use a typed l for normal text. Prefer l or l in HTML when encoding must be explicit, and \\006C only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: lowercase l is U+006C (decimal 108).
HTML: use l or l when you need an entity.
CSS: use \006C inside content for generated text.
Default: type l directly — there is no &l; named entity.
One line:U+006C → type l, or encode as l / l / CSS \006C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use l (hex), l (decimal), or the CSS escape \006C in the content property. All render the letter l. In most cases you can also type l directly.
U+006C (LATIN SMALL LETTER L). Hex 6C, decimal 108. It belongs to the Basic Latin (ASCII) block and is the twelfth letter of the Latin alphabet.
No. ASCII letters like l do not have named HTML entities in HTML5. Use numeric references like l or l when you need an entity form. Do not confuse this with < (less-than).
Use entities when generating content in CSS, when you want explicit encoding, or when outputting into contexts where escaping is required. For normal body text, typing l directly is usually best.
HTML entities (l or l) go in markup. The CSS escape \006C is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render l.
&l; is not a valid HTML5 named entity for the letter l. < is the less-than sign (<, U+003C). To encode the letter l, type l or use l / l.
🤔
Did you know?
Lowercase l is Unicode U+006C (decimal 108). HTML5 has no named entity for it — use l or l when you need an entity form. Do not confuse &l; (invalid) with < (less-than sign).
