Lowercase x is the Basic Latin character at Unicode U+0078 (LATIN SMALL LETTER X). You can type x directly in HTML, or write it with a numeric character reference when you need an explicit entity form.
Remember
Character x
Unicode U+0078
Hex entity x
Decimal x
CSS escape \0078
Named entity (none)
All of these produce the same glyph: x. Prefer typing x 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
x
HTML text (default choice)
Hex entity
x
HTML markup
Decimal entity
x
HTML markup
CSS escape
\0078
Stylesheet content
Named entity
—
Not defined in HTML5
When to Use Which
Situation
Use
Normal paragraphs, headings, labels
Type x
Need an entity in HTML source
x or x
Generated text via ::before / ::after
content: "\0078"
Looking for &x; or similar
Does not exist — use numeric form
Multiplication sign (×)
Different Unicode character — not U+0078
See it
Live Preview
Lowercase x rendered in common UI contexts.
Inline textThe letter x appears in words like example and extra.
Large glyphx
Alphabetv w x y z
Monospaceconst max = Math.max(a, b);
With entitiesHex: x | Decimal: x
Not the sameX (U+0058) · × (×)
Code
Complete HTML Example
One page that shows lowercase x 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 x in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Lowercase X (x) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\0078";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Lowercase X using Hex Code: x</p>
<p>Lowercase X using HTML Code: x</p>
<p id="point">Lowercase X using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: x</p>
</body>
</html>
Lowercase X using Hex Code: x
Lowercase X using HTML Code: x
Lowercase X using CSS Entity: x
Typed directly: x
How It Works
1. Hex:U+0078 → x in HTML. The browser turns it into x.
2. Decimal: same code point as 120 → x. Same result as hex.
3. CSS: use \0078 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that x after the paragraph text.
4. Typed x: best for normal text. All four lines show the same letter.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with the letter x entity.
Named
No &x;
HTML5 does not define a named entity for plain x. Use x or x.
Prefer typing
Type x in body text
Entities are optional for ASCII letters. Type x unless you need an explicit escape.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0078 belongs in CSS. x / x belong in HTML.
Look-alikes
Not X or ×
Uppercase is U+0058; multiplication sign is U+00D7 (×). Plain x is U+0078.
Case
x vs X
Uppercase is U+0058 — a different code point from U+0078.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write x, not x.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Lowercase x (U+0078) and its entity forms (x, x, CSS \\0078) are supported in all mainstream browsers.
✓ Universal support
Lowercase X (x)
Type x, 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+0078 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer typing x in UTF-8 text. Use x / x when a numeric form is required, and \\0078 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: lowercase x is U+0078 (decimal 120), Basic Latin.
HTML: no named entity — type x, or use x / x.
CSS: use \0078 inside content for generated text.
Use: everyday Latin text — not the same as X or ×.
One line:U+0078 → type x, or x / x / CSS \0078.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use x (hex), x (decimal), or the CSS escape \0078 in the content property. All render the letter x. In most cases you can also type x directly.
U+0078 (LATIN SMALL LETTER X). Hex 78, decimal 120. It belongs to the Basic Latin (ASCII) block and is the 24th letter of the Latin alphabet.
No. ASCII letters like x do not have named HTML entities in HTML5, so you should use numeric references like x or x when you need an entity form.
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 x directly is usually best.
HTML entities (x or x) go in markup. The CSS escape \0078 is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render x.
Plain x is U+0078. Uppercase X is U+0058. The multiplication sign × is U+00D7 (×) — a math symbol, not the letter x. Do not substitute one for another.
🤔
Did you know?
Lowercase x is Unicode U+0078 (decimal 120). HTML5 has no named entity for it — use x or x when you need an entity form. Do not confuse it with the multiplication sign (×) or combining Latin small letter x.
