HTML Entity for Lowercase L Script Small (ℓ)
What You'll Learn
How to display the script small l (ℓ) in HTML using named entity, hexadecimal, decimal, and CSS escape methods. This character is the standard symbol for the liter—the metric unit of volume (e.g. 1 ℓ = 1 liter). It is a script or cursive-style lowercase l, distinct from the regular Latin letter l. The character is U+2113 in the Letterlike Symbols block.
Render it with ℓ, ℓ, ℓ, or CSS escape \2113. HTML provides the named entity ℓ for this character. In UTF-8 documents you can also type ℓ directly.
⚡ Quick Reference — Lowercase L Script Small Entity
U+2113Letterlike Symbols
ℓHexadecimal reference
ℓDecimal reference
ℓHTML5 named entity
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+2113
Hex code ℓ
HTML code ℓ
Named entity ℓ
CSS code \2113
Meaning Latin small letter script l
Usage Liter (unit of volume)
Related U+006C = l (plain lowercase)
Block Letterlike Symbols (U+2100–U+214F)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing the script small l (ℓ) using the named entity, hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point:after{
content: "\2113";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Symbol (hex): ℓ</p>
<p>Symbol (decimal): ℓ</p>
<p>Symbol (named): ℓ</p>
<p id="point">Symbol (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The script small l (ℓ) and the named entity ℓ are supported in modern browsers when the font includes Letterlike Symbols glyphs:
👀 Live Preview
See the script small l (ℓ) as the liter symbol and in notation:
l (U+006C) or digit 1🧠 How It Works
Named Entity
ℓ is the HTML named entity for the script small l—readable in source HTML. The name “ell” refers to the letter l.
Hexadecimal Code
ℓ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 2113 to display the character. The x prefix indicates hexadecimal format.
Decimal HTML Code
ℓ uses the decimal Unicode value 8467 to display the same character. Works in all HTML contexts.
CSS Entity
\2113 is used in CSS stylesheets, particularly in the content property of pseudo-elements like ::before and ::after.
Same visual result
All methods produce the glyph: ℓ. Unicode U+2113 sits in Letterlike Symbols and is the standard liter symbol. Do not confuse with plain l (U+006C) or the digit 1. Prefer ℓ when using entities for readability.
Use Cases
The script small l (ℓ) is commonly used in:
Standard symbol for the liter—e.g. “5 ℓ”, “100 ℓ”, “capacity: 2 ℓ”.
Chemistry, physics, engineering, and medicine where volume in liters must use the correct symbol.
Recipe quantities (e.g. “1 ℓ milk”), nutrition labels, and food and beverage content.
Formal notation where the script small l is used as a distinct symbol from the letter l.
Decorative or script-style text where ℓ avoids confusion with the digit 1 or letter l.
Using U+2113 ensures screen readers interpret ℓ as the liter symbol or script l.
When generating markup, ℓ or ℓ ensures correct liter-symbol output.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use U+2113 (ℓ) for the liter symbol; use U+006C for plain letter l when semantics matter
- Prefer
ℓover numeric codes when using entities—it is more readable - Serve pages as UTF-8; you can also type ℓ directly in UTF-8 source
- Choose fonts that render Letterlike Symbols (U+2100–U+214F) clearly
- Use
\2113in CSScontentfor unit suffixes or decorative output
Don’t
- Substitute plain
lwhen ℓ is required for the liter unit - Confuse ℓ (script l) with the digit
1in monospace or similar fonts - Put CSS escape
\2113in HTML text nodes - Mix entity styles inconsistently within the same project
- Assume all fonts render ℓ identically—test on target devices
Key Takeaways
Four references render ℓ; named entity is ℓ
ℓ ℓ ℓFor CSS stylesheets, use the escape in the content property
\2113Unicode U+2113 — LATIN SMALL LETTER SCRIPT L (liter symbol)
Standard liter unit symbol in recipes, science, and product labels
Previous: Lowercase L Retroflex Hook (ɭ) Next: Lowercase L Stroke
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
ℓ, hexadecimal ℓ, decimal ℓ, or \2113 in CSS content. The named entity is the most readable. In UTF-8 you can also type ℓ directly.U+2113 (LATIN SMALL LETTER SCRIPT L). Letterlike Symbols block. Hex 2113, decimal 8467. It is the standard symbol for the liter (unit of volume).ℓ. You can also use ℓ, ℓ, or the CSS entity \2113. In UTF-8 pages you can type ℓ directly.l (U+006C) is the regular Latin letter l. Use ℓ when you mean the liter or the script form; use l for the letter in normal text.Explore More HTML Entities!
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