HTML Entity for Overline (‾)
What You'll Learn
How to display the Overline (‾) in HTML using hexadecimal, decimal, named entity, and CSS escape methods. This character is U+203E (OVERLINE) in the General Punctuation block (U+2000–U+206F)—a spacing horizontal line character used in math notation, keyboard references, and technical typography.
Render it with ‾, ‾, the named entity ‾, or CSS escape \203E. Do not confuse ‾ with U+0305 (̅, combining overline placed after a base character), U+033F (̿, double overline), or CSS text-decoration: overline.
⚡ Quick Reference — Overline
U+203EGeneral Punctuation (U+2000–U+206F)
‾Hexadecimal reference
‾Decimal reference
‾Standard HTML named entity
Name Value
──────────── ──────────
Unicode U+203E
Hex code ‾
HTML code ‾
Named entity ‾
CSS code \203E
Meaning Overline (spacing character)
Related U+0305 = combining overline (̅)
U+033F = combining double overline (̿)
U+00AF = macron (¯)
Block General Punctuation (U+2000–U+206F)Complete HTML Example
A simple example showing ‾ using hexadecimal code, decimal HTML code, the named entity, and a CSS content escape:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
#point::after{
content: "\203E";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Overline (hex): ‾</p>
<p>Overline (decimal): ‾</p>
<p>Overline (named): ‾</p>
<p id="point">Overline (CSS): </p>
</body>
</html>🌐 Browser Support
The Overline character (‾) is widely supported in all modern browsers:
👀 Live Preview
See the Overline character (‾) in technical and notation contexts:
🧠 How It Works
Hexadecimal Code
‾ uses the Unicode hexadecimal value 203E to display the overline character.
Decimal HTML Code
‾ uses the decimal Unicode value 8254 for the same character.
Named Entity
‾ is the standard HTML named entity for U+203E—readable and widely supported.
CSS Entity
\203E is used in CSS stylesheets in the content property of pseudo-elements for decorative markers.
Overline result
All four methods render ‾. Unicode U+203E in General Punctuation. Next: Palatalized Hook Below (̡).
Use Cases
The Overline character (‾) is commonly used in:
Standalone overline symbol references in documentation and educational content.
Labeling the overline key or character in technical writing.
Spacing overline character where a combining mark is not appropriate.
Demonstrating the ‾ named entity in HTML guides.
Decorative horizontal line symbols in design and UI mockups.
Pair ‾ with visible text context; do not rely on the symbol alone for meaning.
💡 Best Practices
Do
- Use
‾when readability matters in HTML source - Use
‾or‾in numeric-only contexts - Set
<meta charset="utf-8">for reliable rendering - Choose U+203E for a spacing character vs U+0305 for combining over a letter
- Pick one reference style per project for consistency
Don’t
- Confuse ‾ with combining overline ̅ or double overline ̿
- Use padded Unicode notation like U+0203E—the correct value is
U+203E - Use CSS escape
\203Ein HTML text nodes - Confuse this character with CSS
text-decoration: overline - Assume ‾ replaces proper math typesetting for complex formulas
Key Takeaways
Four ways to render U+203E in HTML and CSS
‾ ‾For CSS stylesheets, use \203E in the content property
Unicode U+203E — OVERLINE (spacing character)
Named entity ‾ is the readable HTML shorthand
Previous: Combining Overline (̅) Next: Palatalized Hook Below (̡)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
‾ (hex), ‾ (decimal), ‾ (named), or \203E in CSS content. All four render ‾.U+203E (OVERLINE). General Punctuation block (U+2000–U+206F). Hex 203E, decimal 8254, named ‾.‾. ̅ (U+0305) is COMBINING OVERLINE placed immediately after a base character (e.g. x̅).‾ (U+203E) for a standalone overline symbol. Use U+0305 after a base character when you need an overline attached to a letter or variable (x̅).overline-light is kept for navigation continuity; the character is not a separate “light” variant—it is the standard spacing overline with entity ‾.Explore More HTML Entities!
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